Tennis and golfer's elbow

Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) and golfer's elbow (medial epicondylitis) are overuse conditions caused by repetitive stress to the tendons that attach to the elbow. Despite the names, they affect many people beyond athletes — from office workers to manual laborers.

Common Symptoms

1 Pain on the outside (tennis elbow) or inside (golfer's elbow) of the elbow

2 Pain that worsens with gripping, lifting, or repetitive wrist motion

3 Weakness in the hand or wrist

4 Tenderness when pressing on the bony bump of the elbow

5 Pain that may radiate down the forearm

Overview

What Are Tennis and Golfer's Elbow?

Dr. Jay Levin at Duke Health in Durham, NC, evaluates and treats both conditions, offering a range of nonsurgical and surgical options tailored to each patient's needs and goals.

Treatment Options

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between tennis elbow and golfer's elbow?

Tennis elbow affects the tendons on the outside of the elbow (lateral epicondyle), while golfer's elbow affects the tendons on the inside (medial epicondyle). Both are overuse conditions that cause pain with gripping and wrist motion. Dr. Levin at Duke Health in Durham evaluates each patient to confirm the diagnosis and recommend the best treatment.

Can tennis elbow or golfer's elbow be treated without surgery?

Yes. Most patients improve with rest, activity modification, physical therapy, bracing, and occasionally corticosteroid or platelet-rich plasma injections. Surgery is reserved for cases that fail to improve after an extended period of nonsurgical treatment.

When is surgery considered for tennis or golfer's elbow?

Surgery is considered when pain persists despite 6–12 months of appropriate nonsurgical treatment and significantly limits work or daily activities. The procedure involves debridement or repair of the damaged tendon. Dr. Levin discusses the risks, benefits, and expected outcomes with each patient.

Not Sure What's Causing Your Pain?

Schedule an evaluation with Dr. Levin.

Request an Evaluation Call 919-613-7797