If you have pain on the inside of your elbow when you grip, lift or shake hands, you might assume it is tennis elbow. But pain on the inner side of the elbow is often a different problem called golfer’s elbow, and understanding the difference helps you manage it the right way.
Golfer’s elbow does not only affect golfers. It can show up with any repeated gripping, lifting or wrist activity, at work, in the gym or around the house. Here is what golfer’s elbow actually is, how it differs from tennis elbow, what tends to help, and when it is worth seeing a physio.
- What is golfer’s elbow?
- How is golfer’s elbow different from tennis elbow?
- What causes golfer’s elbow?
- What are the symptoms of golfer’s elbow?
- What helps golfer’s elbow?
- When should you see a physio?
- Helping You Perform at Your Best
What is golfer’s elbow?
Golfer’s elbow, known medically as medial epicondylalgia, is pain and tenderness on the bony bump on the inside of your elbow. This is where the tendons of the muscles that bend your wrist and grip attach. When these tendons are overloaded, the area can become painful and sensitive, particularly with gripping and wrist movements.
It is worth knowing that golfer’s elbow is much less common than tennis elbow. In the general population its prevalence is under 1 percent, and it is roughly 7 to 10 times less common than tennis elbow, making up only about 10 to 20 percent of all cases of elbow tendon pain. It most often appears in the fourth and fifth decades of life.
How is golfer’s elbow different from tennis elbow?
The simplest way to tell them apart is location. Golfer’s elbow causes pain on the inside of the elbow, while tennis elbow causes pain on the outside. They involve different muscle groups: golfer’s elbow affects the wrist flexor and gripping tendons on the inner side, and tennis elbow affects the wrist extensor tendons on the outer side.
Because the location and the loaded tendons are different, the exercises used to settle each one are different too. That is why getting the right label matters, so your plan targets the tendons that are actually sore.
What causes golfer’s elbow?
Golfer’s elbow is usually an overload problem rather than a single injury. It tends to build up when the inner-elbow tendons are asked to do more gripping or wrist work than they are used to. Common contributors include:
- Repeated gripping, lifting or carrying, at work or at home
- A rapid increase in gym loading, especially pulling and gripping exercises
- Racquet, throwing or club sports with repeated wrist and forearm use
- Occupations involving tools, keyboards or repetitive hand tasks
In many cases it is a change in load, doing more, heavier or more often, rather than the activity itself that tips the tendon over.
What are the symptoms of golfer’s elbow?
The typical picture is pain and tenderness on the inside of the elbow that can spread down the forearm. You may also notice:
- Pain when gripping, shaking hands or turning a doorknob
- Discomfort bending the wrist against resistance
- A weaker or more painful grip
- Stiffness or soreness that is worse after activity
Occasionally, tingling into the ring and little fingers can occur if a nearby nerve is irritated. If you notice numbness, pins and needles or weakness in the hand, it is worth getting assessed.
What helps golfer’s elbow?
Most cases of golfer’s elbow settle with a considered, active approach rather than complete rest. A typical plan includes:
- Adjusting the aggravating loads for a while rather than stopping everything
- Progressive strengthening for the wrist flexors and grip, often starting with gentle isometric holds
- Addressing the whole arm and shoulder, since forearm load is shared up the chain
- A gradual return to the gripping and lifting tasks that matter to you
Tendon-related pain often responds well to a graded loading programme, and many people improve when the load is matched to what the tendon can currently handle and then built up over time. A physio can help you find that starting point and progress it safely.
When should you see a physio?
See a physio if your inner-elbow pain is limiting your grip, work, training or daily tasks, is not settling, or you are not sure whether it is golfer’s elbow or something else. Getting assessed helps confirm what is driving the pain and gives you a clear, staged plan rather than guesswork.
Helping You Perform at Your Best
Golfer’s elbow can be frustrating, especially when it affects your grip, your training and the everyday tasks you rely on.
At Ace Sports Medicine in Upper Mount Gravatt, our physiotherapists provide personalised care for elbow and forearm pain across Brisbane’s southside, from settling your symptoms to a graded return to gripping, lifting and sport. Your first appointment includes an assessment and a starter plan so you know your next step.
Need support for golfer’s elbow? Book an appointment with the Ace Sports Medicine team today.