Tendinitis also called “tennis elbow” is a common condition that affects the extensor tendons originating from the lateral epicondyle.

Epicondylitis (Golfer’s Elbow) is a form of tendonitis that causes pain and inflammation on the medial side of the elbow over the medial epicondyle. 

Golfer’s and Tennis Elbow Symptoms

If you have Epicondylitis you may experience: 

• Stiffness in your elbow
• Tenderness and pain of your elbow or forearm,
• Pain with certain movements when making a fist or swinging
• Weakness in hands and wrists

Causes of Epicondylitis

Often caused by overusing the muscles in your forearm, which lets you grip, rotate your arm, and flex your wrist. Repetitive flexing, gripping, or swinging can cause pulls or tiny tears in the tendons.

Between the olecranon (the bone at the back of your elbow) and your skin lies fluid-filled sacs called bursae that facilitate skin moving freely over this pointy bone. Normally, your elbow’s bursae are flat, until they become inflamed or irritated by trauma, prolonged pressure (leaning on your elbow for extended periods) or infections caused by skin wounds that allow bacteria to infect bursae. In addition, gout is a medical condition commonly associated with bursitis. Initial symptoms of bursitis are swelling and pain.

Tear or stretch injuries to elbow ligaments will “sprain” the elbow and cause stiffness and pain. Hyperextended or jammed elbows often result in a sprained elbow that usually responds to RICE ( Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation). However, complete dislocations or multiple ligament tears or tears of the Ulna Collateral Ligament in athletes may require specialized treatment.