Elbow topic
Tennis Elbow and Golfer's Elbow
Tennis elbow and golfer's elbow are names for pain where forearm tendons attach at the elbow. Tennis elbow is on the outside of the elbow; golfer's elbow is on the inside. You do not need to play either sport to have them.
Outside or inside: side by side
What the names mean
Both describe repeated strain on forearm tendons where they attach to the bone at the elbow. A name describes a pattern of symptoms. Other problems, such as arthritis, bursitis or a nerve problem, can also cause elbow pain, so an evaluation looks at the whole picture.
Everyday tasks people notice
- Gripping or lifting, such as carrying a bag or a pot
- Twisting, such as turning a screwdriver or a jar lid
- Shaking hands
- Long stretches of mouse or keyboard work
What an evaluation may look at
- When the pain started, which tasks bring it on, your work, sports and hobbies, and what you have already tried.
- Where the elbow is tender, how the elbow, wrist and fingers move, your grip strength, and whether bending the wrist up or down against resistance brings on pain.
- Whether there is numbness or tingling in the fingers. Providers may use X-rays or an MRI to rule out other causes; if testing may be needed, your physical therapist may work with a physician.
How Physical Therapy may fit
A Shanti physical therapist begins with an evaluation. If Physical Therapy looks like a good fit, the plan is built around what the evaluation shows and the tasks you want to get back to. Depending on the findings, a plan may use some, all or none of these approaches:
- Therapeutic exercise
- Manual therapy
- Ergonomic evaluation and training
- Neuromuscular re-education
- Modalities
When to contact a medical professional first
See the full safety checklist
- The elbow feels like it catches or is unstable, or is locked and will not fully bend or straighten.
- Numbness and tingling spread down the forearm, or symptoms keep getting worse.
- The pain followed a direct injury, the elbow looks misshapen, or it is swollen and red, or you have a fever.
- Home treatment is not helping.
Request an appointment
Send a request and we will contact you by the next business day. Submitting a request does not confirm an appointment; your appointment is confirmed only after the clinic responds.