Overview

Golfer’s elbow, or medial epicondylitis, is similar to tennis elbow. The main differences between these conditions are the location of the pain and the activity that leads to injury. However, both conditions are caused by overuse of the muscles and tendons of the forearm, leading to inflammation and pain around the elbow joint.

Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow, are both forms of tendonitis. Tendons are the ends of muscles that attach to bone. Due to the force of the muscle, the points of insertion of the tendon on the bone, are often pointed prominences. The medical names of tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) and golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis) come from the names of these prominences where the tendons insert, and where the inflammation causes the pain.

Symptoms

The pain of golfer’s elbow is usually at the elbow joint on the inside of the arm; a shooting sensation down the forearm is also common while gripping objects.