The Golfer's Curse The Golfer's Curse
Southern Orthopaedic Specialists
Its inevitable. If you play golf long enough, sooner or later you will sustain an orthopaedic injury. These types of injuries most commonly involve the bones, muscles and tendons of the upper extremities. In my private practice, I routinely treat golf-related injuries to the shoulders, wrist and elbows. The culprits: overuse and improper stretching prior to play. "Golfer's elbow" or medial epicondylitis can be a common and painful side-effect of a relaxing and enjoyable sport.
With a right-handed golfer, repetitive swings and deep divots stress the inside of the right elbow. The tendons which flex or bring forward the wrist and fingers are attached to the inside or medial aspect of the elbow. The attachment point at the elbow for these tendons is near the ulnar nerve or "funny bone". Frequently when playing golf, the area may become overworked and inflamed, causing considerable pain.
Contributing factors exacerbating "golfer's elbow" may include:
Weak muscles or muscle imbalances,
Improper equipment - incorrect grip size, too-stiff club shafts,
Poor technique - gripping the club too tightly, excessive playing and repeated twisting of the wrist.
If you are experiencing pain you suspect may be medial epicondylitis --
Stop!!! Rest!!! Don't aggravate the condition with continued activity.
Increase the size of your grip. This will diminish the stress on the flexor muscles of the forearm.
Ice the elbow three times a day for 30-60 minutes at a time. Ideally, this treatment works best immediately after playing golf or hitting balls on the range.
Always warm-up before playing. Cold-damp mornings are a golfer's enemy. It is vital to stretch all of the muscles along the upper extremities. Before and after playing a round of golf -- stretch the elbow and wrist. Completely extend the arm and elbow, flexing your wrist forward and back. This prevents stiffness, breaking down any scar tissue which may be developing due to inflammation. This exercise also increases the elasticity of the tendon sites on the bone, minimizing the risk of injury.
Medication may also be recommended by your physician for relief of medial epicondylitis. An oral anti-inflammatory will diminish the inflammation surrounding the attachment of the tendon to the bone along the inner elbow. In severe cases, the patient and physician may opt for an injection into the affected area. Cortisone is the most widely utilized injectible for this condition.
Your doctor may recommend the use of an elbow brace. This will support the specific local structures in the arm thus reducing pressure on the inflamed tendon. Using the brace while playing and practicing golf is often recommended.
Fortunately, the majority of golfer's elbow cases may be treated with conservative measures such as those previously mentioned. If these treatment efforts fail, some very severe cases of epicondylitis may require surgery with a post-operative recovery and rehabilitation time of up to four months.
Golfer's elbow remains a common problem among amateur and professional golfers alike. The intelligent golfer will let pain be his activity and treatment guide when symptoms first appear. If the condition lasts for longer than 2-4 weeks, a consultation with an orthopaedic physician is highly recommended.
Southern Orthopaedic Specialists
Team Doctor for the New Orleans Saints National Football League Team
http://www.southern-ortho.com
Main Office: 2731 Napoleon Avenue, New Orleans, Louisiana 70115-6953
Telephone Number: (504) 897-6351
The information provided here is for educational purposes only. In no way should it be considered as offering medical advice. Southern Orthopaedic Specialists assumes no responsibility for how this material is used. Please check with a physician if you suspect that you are ill. Also note that while Southern Orthopaedic Specialists frequently updates its contents, medical information changes rapidly. Therefore, come information may be out of date.