When you're dealing with elbow pain, it’s natural to wonder whether it’s tennis elbow or tendonitis. These terms are often thrown around, but they describe different issues that can cause discomfort in the elbow. So, how do you know which one you have?
The Basics of Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow specifically affects the outside of the elbow. If you’re feeling pain in that area, it’s likely that tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, is the culprit. Tennis elbow involves the tendon on the outside of the elbow, which connects the muscles of your forearm to your bone.
This tendon can become irritated and painful, especially after repetitive motions, like those involved in playing tennis, gripping tools, or even lifting. The discomfort you feel comes from strain or damage to this tissue.
What About Tendonitis?
Tendonitis, on the other hand, is more of a general term. You can develop tendonitis in any tendon in your body. Essentially, tendonitis refers to inflammation of a tendon, which could occur anywhere in the body, including the elbow.
If the tendon on the outside of your elbow is inflamed, it might technically be classified as both tennis elbow and tendonitis. That’s because tennis elbow affects the same tendon that can develop inflammation in this area.
Understanding the Terms: Tendonitis, Tendonosis, and Tendinopathy
Let’s talk about the word “tendonitis” itself. It means inflammation of the tendon (the "-itis" part means inflammation). However, the more we’ve learned about these conditions, the more we’ve realized that inflammation isn’t always the main issue, especially when the pain has been around for a long time.
If you’ve been dealing with elbow pain for a while, the problem may not be inflammation at all, or at least not only inflammation. Instead, it could be a chronic condition of the tendon where it’s simply not healing properly. In those cases, we refer to this as tendonosis—a more accurate term for long-term tendon problems.
When you have a sudden flare-up—say, from a specific activity like moving house or lifting boxes—that might add some acute inflammation on top of a chronic problem, but over time, inflammation tends to decrease.
A good umbrella term for this kind of issue is tendinopathy. Tendinopathy refers to any kind of tendon dysfunction or disorder. It doesn’t specifically point to inflammation or degeneration, but simply acknowledges that something is wrong with the tendon.
So, How Can You Tell the Difference?
If the pain is on the outside of your elbow and has been building up over time, it’s likely related to tennis elbow. But whether it's a case of acute inflammation (tendonitis) or a chronic condition (tendonosis), the underlying problem is with the tendon itself. That’s why tendinopathy is often the most accurate term to describe what’s happening.
If you're experiencing these symptoms, it's a good idea to rest the area and seek advice on how to manage or treat the condition.
For a deeper dive into how to differentiate between tennis elbow and tendonitis—and how to start managing your symptoms—check out the video I’ve put together [here]. It breaks down everything you need to know!
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