What Are Tennis and Golfer’s Elbow?
Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow are common overuse injuries that affect the tendons around the elbow joint.
Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) causes pain on the outside of the elbow, while golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis) causes pain on the inside of the elbow. Both conditions occur when the tendons that attach the forearm muscles to the elbow become irritated due to repetitive use or strain.
These conditions are often associated with sports such as tennis or golf, but they can also develop from everyday activities involving repeated gripping, lifting or typing.
Common Symptoms
People with tennis or golfer’s elbow may experience:
- Pain on the inside or outside of the elbow
- Tenderness when touching the affected area
- Pain when gripping or lifting objects
- Weakness in the forearm or hand
- Discomfort when twisting the wrist or forearm
Symptoms often develop gradually and may worsen with repeated activity.
How We Help
At The Bromley Physiotherapy and Injury Rehab Clinic, we assess elbow movement, tendon irritation and forearm muscle function to identify the cause of your symptoms.
Treatment may include:
- Exercises to strengthen the forearm muscles
- Load management to reduce strain on the tendon
- Soft tissue techniques to reduce muscle tension
- Advice on modifying activities that aggravate symptoms
The aim is to reduce tendon irritation, restore strength and allow you to return to normal activities comfortably.