Elbow Pain (Tennis & Golfer's Elbow)
Elbow pain, including tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow, is common. Tennis elbow is pain on the outside of the elbow and golfer’s elbow is pain on the inside. Both are overuse injuries to the forearm tendons, and most people who get them do not play either sport. Heights Physical Therapy treats elbow pain for people in Gunnison, Crested Butte and the Gunnison Valley.
You do not have to play tennis or golf to get them
Gripping, lifting and repetitive work are the usual causes. Climbing, paddling, ranch and trail work, wrenching on a truck, typing and carrying groceries can all load the same tendons day after day.
Forearm pain and elbow tendinitis often share the same cause: tendons asked to do more than they are ready for.
Where it hurts tells us what is irritated
The outside and the inside of the elbow are different problems, and some elbow pain is not a tendon at all.
Tennis elbow: the outside
Lateral epicondylitis. Pain on the outside of the elbow, often when you grip or lift, from irritated forearm tendons.
Golfer’s elbow: the inside
Medial epicondylitis. Pain on the inside of the elbow from the tendons that grip and bend the wrist.
Elbow bursitis
The fluid-filled sac at the point of the elbow can swell after a bump or from leaning on it.
Cubital tunnel syndrome
Pressure on the ulnar nerve at your funny bone can cause pain, numbness and tingling, often in the ring and little fingers.
Why loading the tendon helps more than resting it
Loading usually beats resting alone
Taking time off feels logical, but gradually loading the tendon usually works better than resting alone.
Eccentric and isometric loading
Graded tendon loading rebuilds capacity step by step, and we tune the dose so it stays tolerable.
Hands-on care and bracing
Manual therapy eases tight tissue, and a counterforce brace can take pressure off the tendon while you work.
Changes at work and home that take pressure off the tendon
We look at how you actually grip, lift and set up your day.
- Tool and handle changes so you are not squeezing as hard
- Desk, keyboard and mouse setup through ergonomic training
- Lifting with a neutral wrist and a different carry
- A plan for returning to climbing, riding or yard work at a pace the tendon can handle
When elbow pain connects to the shoulder, fingers or job
The elbow depends on the shoulder, so sometimes we treat both. See shoulder pain. Finger numbness or tingling may point to carpal tunnel, and hand and wrist pain is on our hand and wrist page. If the pain began from repetitive job tasks, read our work injuries page, and athletes can see sports injury rehab.
See a doctor first if you have
- An elbow that looks deformed after a fall
- Sudden severe swelling or a hot, red elbow
- Numbness that is spreading or arm weakness that is getting worse
Call us and we will tell you what applies to your insurance, and whether you need anything from your doctor, before your first visit.
More elbow questions
Why does my elbow hurt when I grip?
Elbow pain when gripping is the classic sign of tennis or golfer’s elbow. We test which tendon is involved and what your hand is being asked to do.
Do I have to stop climbing or lifting while my elbow heals?
Not always. We usually adjust how much and how often you load the tendon rather than stopping everything, and we plan your return to the activity with you.
Grip, lift and climb with less elbow pain
Call Heights Physical Therapy and we will look at which tendon is irritated and what your hands are asked to do all day. We see people from Gunnison, Crested Butte and across the Gunnison Valley.
We see patients in Gunnison, Crested Butte and the Gunnison Valley, Colorado.