Professional Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy: Sport: Golf

Sports and Fitness: Golf

Overview
Wherever you go, you'll meet someone who's taking up golf. Young or old, male or female, it seems there's no shortage of people joining the 25 million who already play the fastest growing sport in the country. Words like birdie, eagle, and slice find their way into casual conversation as more and more businesses get involved in golf tournaments and weekenders enjoy the beauty of a sport played in resort quality surroundings.

The sport has come a long way in its lifetime with a myriad of stores specializing in golfing equipment and fashion, special golf cart crossings on streets near courses, and scientific development of clubs. Even the dimples in golf balls are strategically designed to make the balls fly farther - the result of a discovery about 100 years ago when players realized their old scratched and nicked balls flew further than their new ones. Golf is the only popular American sport that comes not only with rules, but also with its own set of easily violated etiquette. And while baseball may be America's favorite pastime, more and more, golf occupies our leisure time.

Parents' Corner

Click here for answers to your FAQ's and learn more about when and how to start your child in the sport that grows in popularity each day.
Click here for our Frequently Asked Questions section.

Training

Click here for additional information on training information.
Click here for more information on training for this activity.

Injuries

Because golf is traditionally perceived as a sport with a low-level of physical activity, people haven't historically been concerned with risk of significant injury. The truth, of course, is that injury is a risk particularly with players who are sedentary all week and try to squeeze in 36 holes on the weekend. Golfing includes the risk of common injuries to the elbow, back, and wrist. Among the most common golf injuries:

1. Golfer's Elbow Golfer's elbow, medial epicondylitis, is the painful condition of and near the bony bump of the medial (inner) elbow caused by inflamed, or in extreme cases, torn, muscles between the hand and the inner elbow which are swollen and tender to the touch. The injury is most commonly caused by overuse of the muscles that allow the palm of the hand to move toward the inner arm. Rest, icing, and anti-inflammatory painkillers are the usual course of treatment for this condition, but without exercise to strengthen the forearm, the condition is likely to return. Commonly recommended exercises include squeezing a tennis (or comparable) ball, wrist curls, and reverse wrist curls.

2. Back Pain On average, swinging a golf club places four to six times your own body weight through your lumbar spine. It's no wonder that many golfers complain of back pain! Back injury can be related to rotating the spine during a swing, lifting a golf bag, and repeatedly bending to retrieve and tee up the ball. Like any pain caused by repetitive motion, the first line of defense is prevention. Taking a lesson to ensure proper swinging technique can protect you from injury later on. Additionally, exercise that strengthens the muscles that support the spine, both in the back and abdomen, can be recommended by a trainer or physical therapist. Once the pain exists, rest, ice, and anti-inflammatory medication are likely to improve less severe cases.

3. Wrist Injuries Wrist injuries in golfers can be caused by direct impact when the club hits a tree root or sand trap, or the result of the repetitive motion of swinging the club. The injuries caused by impact can be sprains or fractures and must be treated as such. Carpal tunnel syndrome is an ailment of the wrist in which the lubricating membrane (synovium) swells and reduces the space, or tunnel, where the nerve travels from the forearm into the hand. This painful condition requires rehabilitation and, in extreme cases, surgery may be recommended. Prevention is the best medicine and includes taking frequent breaks from swinging and varying your technique whenever possible.

Lumbar Disc Herniation

Lumbar Strains

Medial Epicondylitis (Golfer's Elbow)

Product Considerations

Elbow: Support
A forearm support bandage, worn just below the elbow, can provide relief from pain. It reduces stress on inflamed or damaged tissues lying above the brace. The elbow support (brace) is not meant to be place directly on the inflamed area. It is designed to be just below to the area so as to relieve the injured portion so that it may heal. In addition, an elbow brace may help relieve swelling. But it is not a panacea and should not take the place of a good exercise therapy program to promote healing.

Most doctors can fit you with an elbow brace. It's wise to consult your doctor before you buy a brace from a pharmacy or other store. Wearing the wrong kind of brace or wrapping a brace in the wrong way can lead to further injury.

NSAIDs
NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) are a group of drugs used to control pain. This category of medications includes both prescription and common over-the-counter painkillers such as ibuprofen. NSAIDs are effective for many types of pain that can occur because of inflammation of muscles, joints and bones. The drugs work quickly and people often notice some benefit within a few hours of taking the tablet. However, the complete effectiveness of the drug may not be realized for up to four weeks. For each individual, some varieties of NSAIDs are more effective than others. Often, patients will find that one or two varieties are helpful whereas others may not be as effective in controlling symptoms. It is usually necessary to try several brands and continue with the one that is most suitable. NSAIDs can be used to treat:

Pain resulting from inflammation or swelling.

Pain after injury.

Joint pain and arthritis.