Tennis Elbow vs Golfer’s Elbow — What’s the Difference?

By MADI-BONE CLINIC | Gangnam (Seolleung Station)

Why the Elbow Hurts So Often in Sports

Among sports-related injuries, the elbow is frequently involved—especially with racket sports.
Two diagnoses dominate:

Tennis Elbow = Lateral Epicondylitis

Pain/inflammation where the wrist extensor tendons attach to the outer (lateral) epicondyle.
Pain typically worsens with wrist extension (bending toward the back of the hand).

Golfer’s Elbow = Medial Epicondylitis

Pain/inflammation where the wrist flexor tendons attach to the inner (medial) epicondyle.
Pain typically worsens with wrist flexion (bending toward the palm).

Because these tendon units run from the elbow toward the wrist, excessive wrist use can directly trigger elbow pain.
If you play golf, tennis, badminton, or table tennis—be mindful of cumulative load and technique.

Typical Symptoms & Quick Self-Check

Localized tenderness at the outer (lateral) or inner (medial) elbow
Worse with wrist extension (tennis elbow) or wrist flexion (golfer’s elbow)
Aggravation with gripping/twisting (door handles, bottles, driver/club)
Morning stiffness or post-activity pain flare

What To Do First (Home Care)

Pause the provoking activity temporarily
Ice 10–15 minutes, 1–2×/day (for acute pain)
Counterforce strap on the forearm to reduce tendon load (situational support)
If pain persists beyond 3–4 days or worsens, seek evaluation

Clinic Evaluation

We identify the pain-provoking motions and the involved tendon units through history and physical exam, and—when needed—use ultrasound or X-ray to localize pathology and rule out other issues. We also review your sport schedule, work tasks, and grip technique.

Treatment Options

1) Medication / Manual & Physical Therapy

Short-term NSAIDs for pain/inflammation control
Manual therapy & soft-tissue work for pain relief and mobility
Eccentric loading to improve tendon capacity (see rehab below)

2) Injection Therapy (selected cases)

Corticosteroid injection can reduce pain short-term, but studies report higher recurrence in the long term—we select indications carefully.
(Bisset et al., BMJ 2006)
PRP (platelet-rich plasma) may be considered in chronic/refractory cases; results vary across trials.
(Mishra et al., Am J Sports Med 2014)

3) Shockwave Therapy (ESWT)

Considered in chronic tendinopathy. Evidence is mixed, but combining ESWT with eccentric exercise is often used clinically for functional improvement.
Shockwave review for MSK disorders

4) Bracing/Taping

A counterforce strap and selected wrist bracing can reduce load during symptomatic tasks as a temporary aid.

Rehabilitation (The Key to Long-Term Success)

1) Eccentric Strengthening (Wrist Extensors/Flexors)

Use a light dumbbell (0.5–1.0 kg) or resistance band
Lower slowly for 3–5 seconds (eccentric), then return with assistance
12–15 reps × 2–3 sets per direction, within tolerable pain

2) Forearm Stretching

With the elbow straight, hold wrist extensor and flexor stretches for 30–40 s, 2–3 reps each

3) Grip & Technique Adjustments

Reassess racket/club grip size and wrist angle
Optimize workstation if repetitive mouse/keyboard use aggravates symptoms

Long-term goals are function and recurrence prevention, not just short pain relief.
See overview:
Coombes et al., BMJ 2010.

When to Seek Care Promptly (Red Flags)

Progressive pain despite rest/ice > 3–4 days, or night pain disrupting sleep
Noticeable weakness, numbness/tingling, or suspicion of tendon tear
Post-traumatic swelling/bruise, fever, or systemic symptoms

MADI-BONE CLINIC (Seolleung Station, ~3 min on foot)

MADI-BONE CLINIC
3F, 428 Seolleung-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Seolleung Station (Line 2), Exit 1 — ~3 minutes on foot
02-736-2626
⏰ Mon–Fri 09:30–18:30 / Sat 09:30–13:00 (Closed Sundays & Public Holidays)

Sources

Bisset L, et al. Mobilisation with movement & exercise vs corticosteroid injection. BMJ, 2006
Coombes BK, et al. Lateral epicondylalgia: epidemiology, pathophysiology & management. BMJ, 2010
Mishra A, et al. Platelet-rich plasma for chronic tennis elbow. Am J Sports Med, 2014
Shockwave therapy review for MSK disorders. PubMed

This article is for educational purposes and does not replace an individual medical evaluation or treatment plan.