From the Guidelines
The treatment for both golfer's elbow and tennis elbow should prioritize conservative management, including rest, ice, and NSAIDs, with a focus on physical therapy exercises that target the specific affected areas, as this approach has been shown to be effective in reducing pain and inflammation and improving quality of life. The initial treatment for both conditions includes rest from aggravating activities, ice application for 15-20 minutes several times daily, and over-the-counter NSAIDs like ibuprofen (400-600mg three times daily) or naproxen (220-440mg twice daily) for 1-2 weeks to reduce pain and inflammation 1.
Key Differences in Treatment
- Golfer's elbow exercises should focus on strengthening wrist flexors and pronators, while tennis elbow exercises should target wrist extensors.
- Specific exercises include eccentric wrist curls for golfer's elbow and eccentric wrist extensions for tennis elbow, typically performed in sets of 15 repetitions, three times daily.
- Counterforce braces worn just below the elbow can provide symptom relief during activities.
Advanced Treatments
For persistent cases lasting over 6-12 months, more advanced treatments may include corticosteroid injections, platelet-rich plasma therapy, or rarely, surgery 1. It's essential to note that these conditions result from overuse causing microtears in tendon attachments—golfer's elbow affects the inner elbow where wrist flexors attach, while tennis elbow affects the outer elbow where wrist extensors attach. Most cases resolve within 6-12 months with proper conservative treatment. Recent guidelines also support the use of radiography as the initial imaging for chronic elbow pain, which can help in diagnosing and managing these conditions effectively 1.
Imaging and Diagnosis
Imaging plays a crucial role in the assessment of chronic elbow pain, with radiographs being beneficial as the initial imaging, and MRI or US being used for further assessment of suspected tendon, ligament, or muscle injury 1. The treatment approach should be based on the most recent and highest quality evidence, prioritizing conservative management and physical therapy exercises to improve outcomes and quality of life for patients with golfer's elbow and tennis elbow.
From the Research
Treatment for Golfer's Elbow vs Tennis Elbow
- The treatment for golfer's elbow and tennis elbow share some similarities, but there is limited research directly comparing the two conditions.
- For tennis elbow, treatment options include:
- Relieving inflammation and pain with rest, ice, anti-inflammatory medications, and occasionally cortisone injections 2
- Promoting the healing process with high-voltage galvanic stimulation 2
- Exercises for strength, endurance, and flexibility in the arm and forearm 2
- Reducing the overload forces that caused the original injury by using a counterforce brace and modifying the player's technique and equipment 2
- Other studies suggest that tennis elbow treatment should start with simple and conservative methods, such as cryotherapy, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and heat therapy, before progressing to more complex and invasive therapies 3
- Corticosteroid injections may reduce pain in the short-term but may delay long-term recovery 4
- Alternative therapies, such as acupuncture, have shown promise in treating tennis elbow, with one study finding that 21 out of 34 patients became pain-free after acupuncture treatment 5
- Conservative therapy, including physical methods such as ultrasound and low energy laser, can be effective in treating tennis elbow 6
Key Differences
- There is limited research specifically addressing golfer's elbow, but it is often treated similarly to tennis elbow
- The main difference between the two conditions is the location of the pain and the activities that exacerbate it