ARTICLE
The Biomechanics of
Golfer ’ s and Tennis Elbow
Joseph E . Muscolino | DC
Golfer ’ s elbow and tennis elbow are both musculoskeletal pathologies that are hallmarked by elbow pain , hence their names ( Figure 1 ). However , even though these conditions cause elbow pain , they are not conditions of the actual elbow joint ; rather , they are overuse syndromes of musculature of the hand and / or the fingers . Pain is experienced at the elbow because these muscles have their proximal tendinous attachments there . The biomechanics of golfer ’ s and tennis elbow can be nicely compared and contrasted with each other because they are extremely similar , but somewhat mirror opposites of each other .
The muscles of golfer ’ s elbow have their proximal attachments onto the medial epicondyle of the humerus , so golfer ’ s elbow causes medial elbow pain ; whereas the muscles of tennis elbow attach onto the lateral epicondyle of the humerus , so tennis elbow causes lateral elbow pain . Golfer ’ s elbow is an overuse condition of excessive flexion of the hand at the wrist joint and flexion of the fingers at the metacarpophalangeal ( MCP ) and interphalangeal ( IP ) joints , resulting in overuse of the anterior flexor compartment of the forearm musculature . In contrast , tennis elbow is primarily an overuse syndrome of excessive extension of the hand at the wrist joint and extension of the fingers at the MCP and IP joints , resulting in overuse of the posterior extensor compartment of the forearm musculature .
Figure 1A . Golfer ’ s elbow causes pain at the medial elbow . Anterior view of the right upper extremity . ( Permission Dr . Joe Muscolino . The Muscular System Manual , 4th edition . Elsevier , 2015 )
84 | vol27 | no2 | JATMS