✋ Golfer's Elbow vs Tennis Elbow Differential Simulator

Normal Elbow — Baseline Resisted Testing

A healthy elbow tolerates resisted wrist motion without pain.

• 0/10: Medial pain score (no tenderness)
• 0/10: Lateral pain score (no tenderness)
• Normal: Grip strength (pain-free)
• Non-tender: Epicondyle palpation (both sides)

Why baseline matters

A pain-free baseline rules out both conditions confidently.

Resisted test principle

Resisted contraction stresses the tendon origin directly.

Two independent origins

Flexors originate medially, extensors originate laterally.

Resisted Wrist Flexion Test

Resisted flexion isolates the flexor-pronator tendon origin.

• Medial epicondyle: Test target (common flexor origin)
• Wrist flexion: Provoking motion (against resistance)
• ≥4/10 pain: Positive threshold (at medial site)
• Golfer's elbow: Suggests (medial epicondylitis)

Test technique

Examiner resists active wrist flexion with elbow extended.

Positive finding

Sharp pain at the medial epicondyle confirms involvement.

Anatomic basis

Flexor carpi radialis and pronator teres originate here.

Resisted Wrist Extension Test

Resisted extension isolates the extensor tendon origin.

• Lateral epicondyle: Test target (common extensor origin)
• Wrist extension: Provoking motion (against resistance)
• ≥4/10 pain: Positive threshold (at lateral site)
• Tennis elbow: Suggests (lateral epicondylitis)

Test technique

Examiner resists active wrist extension with elbow extended.

Positive finding

Sharp pain at the lateral epicondyle confirms involvement.

Anatomic basis

Extensor carpi radialis brevis originates at this site.

Pain Zone Mapping

Precise pain location separates the two conditions cleanly.

• Golfer's elbow: Medial zone (flexor-pronator origin)
• Tennis elbow: Lateral zone (extensor origin)
• Yes: Overlap possible (combined presentation)
• Direct palpation: Mapping method (plus resisted tests)

Palpation confirms testing

Point tenderness should match the positive resisted test.

Ruling out mimics

Ulnar nerve or radial tunnel signs alter the picture.

Bilateral comparison

Comparing both elbows highlights the asymmetric finding.

Differential Confirmed

Combined test and location findings finalize the diagnosis.

• Medial+: Golfer's elbow (flexion positive)
• Lateral+: Tennis elbow (extension positive)
• Combined: Both positive (rare presentation)
• Alt. diagnosis: Neither positive (consider other cause)

Diagnostic synthesis

Test side plus pain zone together confirm the condition.

Referral pathway

Confirmed side directs condition-specific treatment referral.

Diagnostic tool only

This simulator stops at diagnosis, not treatment selection.