Elbow Pain (Tennis & Golfer's Elbow)
Tennis elbow is pain on the outside of the elbow and golfer's elbow is pain on the inside. Both are overuse injuries to the forearm tendons, and most people who get them play neither sport: gripping, lifting and repetitive work are the usual causes. East Mountain Physical Therapy treats elbow pain in Cedar Crest, Edgewood, Tijeras and Moriarty.
Outside, inside, or somewhere else on the elbow
Where it hurts points to which tendon is overloaded.
Tennis elbow
Lateral epicondylitis: pain on the outer elbow when you grip, lift a coffee cup or turn a key.
Golfer's elbow
Medial epicondylitis: pain on the inner elbow, often with a weak grip.
Bursitis and cubital tunnel
A swollen tip of the elbow, or tingling in the ring and little fingers from the ulnar nerve.
Why resting the tendon is not enough
A tendon that hurts needs the right amount of load to heal. Gradually loading the forearm with exercise usually helps more than weeks of rest, and your therapist sets the starting point and the progression. Hands-on treatment and electrical stimulation or ultrasound can ease the pain while the strength comes back.
Changes at work and at home that take pressure off
- Vary how you grip tools and handles
- Keep the wrist neutral on the keyboard and mouse
- Carry loads close to the body
- Break up long repetitive tasks
If it is your wrist or hand instead
See hand and wrist pain. Shoulder trouble can produce arm pain too: shoulder pain. If the elbow trouble began at your job, ask about work injuries, and athletes can read sports injury rehab.
Elbow Pain (Tennis & Golfer's Elbow) care in the East Mountains
We see patients from Cedar Crest, Edgewood, Tijeras, Moriarty and the East Mountains.