Dealing with Golf Injuries

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There are a number of golf injuries which are common among golfers.

Accidents have occurred due to a lack of awareness and irresponsible actions. Awareness very important in golf, for the safety of others and yourself while in play. We want to avoid injury as much as possible, so we won’t even have to deal with it in the first place. If it’s not your turn to hit, but another golfer’s, take a look around in order to keep yourself out of harm’s way. Golf safety and awareness work hand in hand. Keep yourself a good distance from those in your own group as they prepare for a stroke. Take the time to ensure the safety of others as well. Make sure to look ahead and to both sides of where you are set to aim so golfers ahead are not in the range of your shot. A number of golf injuries can actually be avoided by following these simple pointers. Keep safe and keep others safe as well.

The Importance of Prevention

Exercising regularly and stretching before every game can also help prevent injury. Prevention is just as important as treatment once you have been diagnosed with a golf injury. Invest time in regular exercise and a stretching regime before games in order to get your body ready for the momentum that will be released with each and every one of your swings. Also remember to lift with not just your upper body but your lower body as well each time you pick up your golf bag or other like activities during the game. This will definitely help decrease any chances of back strain. It wouldn’t hurt to use a double-strapped golf bag as well to balance the weight of what you are carrying. Remember, before you are even injured, if you can avoid it or prevent it, please do so!

This article will help you recognize an injury and inform you about the kind of treatment available....

Golfer’s Elbow or Tennis Elbow

Golfer’s elbow is a kind of inflammation wherein one feels pain close to the elbow in the inside upper arm area. Tennis elbow is also an inflammation where pain is felt close to the elbow but on the outside upper arm area. Ironically, Tennis elbow is actually more prevalent in golfers than Golfer’s elbow itself.

Symptoms:
Pain and tenderness on outer side of left elbow (tennis elbow) and inner side of right elbow (golfer's elbow). Pain may be greatest at the top of the backswing and at impact.
Possible Treatment:
Therapy, counterforce bracing, cortisone, surgery, rest, medication

Back Pain

The kind of hunch which many golfers may tend to make while they are in a putting stance as well as the golf swing itself puts strain on the back of a golfer. This kind of back pain may be attributed to arthritis, a stress fracture, or even mechanical or disc-related.
Kinds of Back Pain:
• Mechanical back pain
• Disc-related back pain
• Arthritis pain
• Stress fracture

Symptoms:
leg symptoms if nerve irritation is present (numbness, pain, and/or weakness in the legs) Pain in back, stiffness, muscle spasms
Possible Treatment:
therapy, bracing, cortisone, surgery, rest, medication

Shoulder Pain

Rotator cuff tendonitis, A-C joint arthritis, joint instability, or rotator cuff tears or impingements may all be conditions that lead to a golfer’s shoulder pain.
Kinds of Shoulder Pain:
• Rotator cuff tendonitis, tear, impingement
• A-C joint arthritis
• Instability, scapular lag

Symptoms:
Pain in the shoulder or upper arm at various phases of the golf swing, night pain, pain with overhead activities.
Possible Treatment:
therapy, cortisone, surgery, rest, medication

DeQuervain’s Tendinitis
Wrist pain which starts at the thumb’s base may be caused by DeQuervain’s Tendinitis. The actual pain leads from inflamed tendons which are responsible for thumb control.

Symptoms:
Pain, swelling, and tenderness at the wrist near the base of the thumb. Pain normally occurs at the left wrist at the top of the backswing.
Treatments:
thumb spica splinting, therapy, cortisone, surgery, rest, medication

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

This type of syndrome actually involves the hand nerves. It is a stress disorder which is repetitive and can be very painful and even incapacitate one who is diagnosed with the syndrome.

Symptoms:
Numbness and tingling of the fingers (particularly at night), hand weakness and clumsiness
Possible Treatment:
splinting, surgery, rest, medication

Knee Pain

A torn meniscus, osteoarthritis (knee arthritis), or chondromalacia (kneecap pain) may all be behind a golfer’s knee pains.
Kinds of Knee Pain:
• Torn meniscus
• Knee arthritis (osteoarthritis)
• Kneecap pain (chondromalacia)

Symptoms:
Pain, clicking, swelling of the knee aggravated by twisting, squatting, and walking.
Possible Treatment:
arthroscopic surgery (meniscus tear), total joint replacement surgery (severe arthritis), injection treatments, bracing, therapy, rest, medication

Wrist Impaction Syndrome

With an excess of repetitive movement, wrist bones may collide and result in Wrist Impaction Syndrome.

Symptoms:
Pain and tenderness on the top of the wrist, usually on the right side at the top of the backswing.
Possible Treatment:
splinting, cortisone, surgery, rest, medication

Trigger Finger

Fingers may lock because of Trigger Finger. As the flexor tendon sheath is inhibited, this condition may occur because this is where the finger tendons function.

Symptoms:
Painful locking and snapping of the finger.
Possible Treatment:
Cortisone, surgery.

Hamate Bone Fracture

On the wrist’s pinky side one may find the small hamate bone. This bone has a hook that protrudes into one’s palm. As a number of golfers in swing end up gripping their clubs in such a manner that the butt-end rubs up by the hamate’s hook, the bone may be fractured.

Symptoms:
Pain and tenderness in left palm, numbness in ring and pinky fingers.
Possible Treatment:
Surgery, casting.

ECU (extensor carpi ulnaris) Tendon Subluxation

When the wrist tendon sheath starts to slide in its groove, ECU Tendon Subluxation may occur.

Symptoms:
Painful clicking in the wrist near the knobby bump at the end of the ulna bone.
Possible Treatment:
Casting, surgery to repair the torn tendon sheath.

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