Golfer's Elbow vs Tennis Elbow: The Difference
Golfer's Elbow vs Tennis Elbow: The Difference
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider or physiotherapist before starting exercises or using a device.
Direct answer: Tennis elbow is felt on the outside of the elbow and golfer's elbow on the inside. Both involve overloaded forearm tendons, and both are commonly managed with a counterforce strap or compression sleeve plus load management. The side of your discomfort is the quickest clue, and a clinician can confirm it.
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Same idea, different side of the elbow
Both conditions are tendinopathies: forearm tendons irritated by repeated load. The difference is location. Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) affects the tendons on the outside of the elbow that extend your wrist, and is aggravated by gripping and lifting palm-down. Golfer's elbow (medial epicondylitis) affects the inside tendons that flex your wrist, aggravated by gripping and lifting palm-up. Neither requires playing the sport in the name; keyboards, tools, and lifting cause plenty of both.
Quick comparison
| Option | What it involves | Commonly used for | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where it hurts | Outside of the elbow | Tennis elbow (lateral) | Inside points to golfer's elbow |
| Inside of the elbow | Inner bony point, may reach the forearm | Golfer's elbow (medial) | Outside points to tennis elbow |
| Aggravated by | Gripping, palm-down lifting, typing | Tennis elbow | Both share gripping as a trigger |
| Aggravated by | Palm-up lifting, wrist curls, swinging | Golfer's elbow | A clinician can test precisely |
Supports commonly paired with this
Aircast Pneumatic Armband
- Role: Counterforce strap
- Price: $49.99
- Best for: A strap worn just below the elbow, commonly used for both conditions to reduce tendon load.
- Tradeoff: Check the product size chart before ordering.
BandIT Forearm Tennis Elbow Support
- Role: Compression sleeve
- Price: $64.99
- Best for: Broader, softer support for people who find straps too targeted.
- Tradeoff: Check the product size chart before ordering.
BandIT XM Forearm Tennis Elbow Support
- Role: Support option
- Price: $69.99
- Best for: A commonly chosen elbow support at Medibrace.
- Tradeoff: Check the product size chart before ordering.
Bauerfeind EpiTrain Elbow Brace
- Role: Also popular
- Price: $165.00
- Best for: Another frequently chosen option for elbow tendon comfort.
- Tradeoff: Check the product size chart before ordering.
Strap or sleeve for each condition
| Choice | Best context | Main advantage | When to choose differently |
|---|---|---|---|
| Counterforce strap | Both conditions, targeted | Reduces load on the affected tendon | Position it below the sore side, per the product guide |
| Compression sleeve | Broad comfort, warmth | Softer and easier to wear all day | Less targeted than a strap |
| Activity change | Both conditions | Reducing the aggravating load matters most | A brace supports, load management does the work |
| Clinician program | Persistent cases | Progressive tendon loading, assessed | Best route past six weeks of symptoms |
Fit, use, and safety guidance
- Identify which side of the elbow is sore before choosing a strap position.
- Fit a counterforce strap snugly a few centimetres below the elbow crease, over the muscle bulk.
- Wear supports during aggravating activities rather than around the clock.
- Pair any brace with reducing or modifying the activity that loads the tendon.
- Discomfort persisting beyond several weeks deserves a clinician assessment.
Health and safety note: This Medibrace guide is general product-selection and education information only. It does not diagnose, treat, cure, prevent, prescribe, or replace advice from a licensed clinician.
When to check with a clinician first
See a clinician if elbow discomfort persists beyond a few weeks, wakes you at night, follows a sudden injury or pop, comes with numbness or tingling into the fingers, or keeps limiting your grip. These can point beyond a simple tendinopathy and deserve assessment.
Related Medibrace routes
FAQ
How do I tell golfer's elbow from tennis elbow?
By location: tennis elbow is felt on the outside of the elbow, golfer's elbow on the inside. Both involve overloaded forearm tendons and share similar management.
Do both use the same brace?
Often yes: a counterforce strap or compression sleeve is commonly used for both. The strap sits over the affected side, so placement differs between the two.
Can you get tennis elbow without playing tennis?
Absolutely. Keyboards, tools, lifting, and repetitive gripping are the most common causes of both conditions.