What’s Mistaken for Golfer’s Elbow? Understanding the Pain on the Inside of Your Elbow
- Matthew Barrett
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
If you’ve ever felt a dull ache or sharp pain on the inside of your elbow, especially when gripping, lifting, or twisting your arm, you might have heard the term golfer’s elbow thrown around. But here’s the thing: not all inner elbow pain is golfer’s elbow. In fact, there are several conditions that can feel very similar, which can make things a bit confusing when you're trying to work out what's actually going on.
As a shoulder and elbow specialist (and someone who sees this issue often in the clinic), I want to help you understand what golfer’s elbow is, what can be mistaken for it, and what to do if you’re experiencing that familiar inner elbow pain.
Contents:
So, What Is Golfer’s Elbow?
Golfer’s elbow, or medial epicondylitis, is a condition caused by irritation of the tendons that attach to the bony bump on the inside of your elbow. It’s usually the result of repetitive wrist flexion or gripping, and despite the name, you don’t have to be a golfer to get it.
It’s common among people who lift weights, use tools regularly, play racquet sports, or even spend long hours typing or using a mouse.
Typical symptoms include aching or sharp pain on the inside of the elbow, discomfort when gripping objects or flexing the wrist, tenderness to touch at the inner elbow, and a general feeling of stiffness or weakness in the forearm.
But here’s where it gets interesting: not all pain in that area is due to golfer’s elbow. So, what else could it be?
What Conditions Are Commonly Mistaken for Golfer’s Elbow?
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
This condition involves compression of the ulnar nerve as it passes through the cubital tunnel near the inner elbow. It can mimic golfer’s elbow, but it’s nerve-related, not tendon-related.
Unlike golfer’s elbow, cubital tunnel syndrome often comes with tingling or numbness in the ring and little fingers. The pain may worsen when your elbow is bent for long periods, such as while sleeping or holding a phone, and you might notice a subtle feeling of weakness or clumsiness in the hand.
Referred Pain from the Neck or Shoulder
In some cases, pain around the elbow isn’t coming from the elbow at all. Referred pain from the cervical spine (neck) or shoulder joint can present in a very similar way.
This might be the case if you also have neck stiffness or shoulder discomfort, or if the pain radiates down the arm rather than being focused right at the elbow. One telltale sign is that pressing on the elbow doesn’t reproduce the same pain, which can be a clue that the source lies elsewhere.
Flexor Tendon Strain
This one’s very close to golfer’s elbow and can feel nearly identical. A flexor tendon strain is usually due to a sudden increase in activity, like lifting something heavier than usual or ramping up your training without enough warm-up.
The pain tends to feel more muscular, and while it may sit in a similar area, it doesn’t always have the pinpoint tenderness you’d expect with golfer’s elbow. The good news? Tendon strains often improve more quickly with rest and gentle rehab.
Ulnar Collateral Ligament (UCL) Injury
The UCL is a stabilising ligament on the inner side of the elbow, and it plays a particularly important role in throwing and overhead activities. It’s a common source of pain for athletes, especially in sports like cricket or baseball, but it can also be irritated by certain weightlifting movements.
If you’ve experienced a distinct “pop” or tearing sensation during activity, or if you feel instability when lifting or bracing against resistance, a UCL strain or tear could be to blame. Unlike tendon issues, this tends to affect your ability to trust the joint during forceful movements.
What Should You Do If You’re Not Sure?
If you’ve been dealing with pain on the inside of your elbow and it’s not going away, it’s worth getting a proper assessment. Treating the wrong condition, or missing the right one, can delay healing and cause frustration.
As someone who works with patients dealing with elbow pain regularly, I always recommend starting with a clear diagnosis based on movement, symptom pattern, and history. From there, we can build a treatment plan tailored to your needs, whether that’s physiotherapy, activity modification, or further imaging if needed. The earlier we get started, the better the outcome.
It’s easy to assume pain on the inside of your elbow must be golfer’s elbow, but that’s not always the case. Conditions like cubital tunnel syndrome, tendon strains, referred pain, or ligament injuries can feel very similar, yet they need different treatments.
If your elbow pain is sticking around or getting in the way of day-to-day activities, don’t wait it out. I’m here to help figure out exactly what’s going on and get you back to moving, lifting, working, or playing without pain.
Book an appointment at my Dorset clinic, and we’ll take the guesswork out of your elbow pain.