Golfer's Elbow vs. Tennis Elbow: What's the Difference?

Both conditions involve elbow pain. Both are caused by repetitive overload. Both respond poorly to rest alone. But they occur on opposite sides of the elbow, involve different muscle groups, and present with different pain patterns. Understanding the distinction matters because effective treatment targets the specific structures involved.

TENNIS ELBOW: THE LATERAL SIDE.

Tennis elbow — lateral epicondylitis — involves the extensor tendons of the forearm, which attach to the lateral epicondyle (the bony prominence on the outside of the elbow). The primary culprit is usually the extensor carpi radialis brevis. Pain occurs on the outside of the elbow, often radiating down the forearm, and is reproduced by gripping, lifting with the palm down, or extending the wrist against resistance.

Despite its name, tennis elbow is more common in non-tennis players. Carpenters, plumbers, painters, keyboard users, and anyone performing repetitive gripping or wrist extension are frequent sufferers. We covered this condition in more depth in our article on understanding tennis elbow.

GOLFER'S ELBOW: THE MEDIAL SIDE.

Golfer's elbow — medial epicondylitis — is the mirror image. It involves the flexor tendons attaching to the medial epicondyle (the inner side of the elbow). The flexor carpi radialis and pronator teres are most commonly involved. Pain occurs on the inside of the elbow, may radiate down the inner forearm, and is reproduced by gripping, wrist flexion, or forearm pronation (turning the palm downward).

Golfer's elbow affects golfers, baseball pitchers, rock climbers, and again — frequently — desk workers who maintain a sustained gripping position on a mouse or keyboard. The ulnar nerve runs close to the medial epicondyle, which is why some golfer's elbow cases include tingling in the ring and little fingers.

WHAT BOTH HAVE IN COMMON.

In both conditions, the standard treatment model — rest, ice, anti-inflammatories, a brace — manages symptoms without addressing the underlying soft tissue dysfunction. Both involve trigger points in the forearm musculature that maintain the tendons under chronic tension even at rest. Both involve fascial restrictions in the forearm and upper arm that perpetuate the loading problem.

Neuromuscular therapy for both conditions targets the same core elements: deactivate the trigger points in the forearm muscles, release the fascial restrictions, address any contributing dysfunction at the wrist and shoulder, and restore proper mechanics to the limb as a whole. Tennis elbow and golfer's elbow that have resisted months of standard treatment often resolve within a focused course of sessions.