Is It Tennis Elbow or Pronator Teres Syndrome? A Guide for Pickleball and Tennis Enthusiasts

If you’ve ever felt sharp elbow pain after a heated game of pickleball or a long tennis session, you might think you’ve got tennis elbow. But what if the pain is paired with tingling, numbness, or weakness in your hand? That’s when another condition might be at play—pronator teres syndrome (PTS).

PTS is often mistaken for carpal tunnel syndrome or tennis elbow because it shares overlapping symptoms. But identifying the true source of your pain is critical for effective treatment and a speedy return to the court. Let’s break it down.

Pronator Teres Syndrome vs. Tennis Elbow

1. Location of Pain

   • Tennis Elbow: Pain is concentrated on the outer elbow, where the tendons attach to the lateral epicondyle.
   • PTS: Pain stems from compression of the median nerve in the forearm, with discomfort radiating toward the hand and wrist.

2. Symptoms

   • Tennis Elbow: Sharp pain with gripping or wrist extension activities (think forehand swings).
   • PTS: Forearm pain combined with hand tingling or numbness, often worsened by activities like turning a doorknob or holding a racket.

3. Key Triggers

   • Tennis Elbow: Overuse of forearm muscles during repetitive wrist and elbow motions, common in racquet sports.
   • PTS: Repetitive pronation (rotating the palm downward) or gripping tasks, which can compress the median nerve near the elbow.

How We Treat Pronator Teres Syndrome

At Wellness Lane, we understand the unique challenges of athletes who love their sports—whether it’s pickleball, tennis, or golf. Here’s our personalized approach to relieving elbow pain caused by PTS:

1. Chiropractic Adjustments
   By addressing misalignments in the elbow, wrist, and spine, we relieve nerve tension and improve overall arm mechanics.

2. Manual Therapy
   Tightness in the pronator teres muscle or surrounding tissues can compress the median nerve. Targeted soft tissue therapy releases these restrictions.

3. Class 4 Laser Therapy
   Laser therapy decreases inflammation in the forearm, speeds up healing, and reduces pain.

4. Activity Modifications
   Small changes to how you grip a racket or paddle can make a big difference. We guide you to avoid irritating the nerve while maintaining your game.

5. Targeted Exercises

   • Stretching: Gentle pronator and forearm stretches to relieve tension.
   • Strengthening: Exercises for the forearm and wrist to improve stability and prevent re-injury.

What About Tennis Elbow?

If it turns out your pain is tennis elbow rather than PTS, we’ve got you covered. The treatments overlap, but we’ll focus more on repairing tendon damage and rebalancing muscle strength in the forearm.

Why Proper Diagnosis Matters

Whether you’re playing pickleball, tennis, or simply trying to open a jar, elbow pain can quickly become a major obstacle. Knowing the difference between pronator teres syndrome, tennis elbow, and carpal tunnel syndrome is the first step to effective treatment.

Don’t let pain sideline your game. If you’re dealing with nagging elbow discomfort or hand weakness, schedule a visit with Wellness Lane in Farmers Branch, TX. We’ll help you swing back into action—pain-free!