Common Golf Injuries
Many golfers who have sustained an injury continue to play despite pain and limitations. Early acknowledgement and a treatment plan are vital to avoid worsening the injury or a prolonged recuperation time. Initial conservative management strategies of various golf injuries is often based upon similar principles which include rest (no golf…oh the humanity!) or relative rest (cutting back on your volume/frequency), physical therapy and continued home exercise program that is personalized and targeted, ice especially in the acute phase, if appropriate a course of anti-inflammatory medication, and if appropriate a brace or splint. Not covered in today’s post are Golf Cart Trick Gone Wrong Injuries or Happy Gilmore Swing Induced Muscle Strain (GCTGWI and HGSIMS, respectively, as they’re known in the medical literature).
Here are common golf injuries in no particular order, and what you can expect for your treatment plan:
1) Shoulder
Subacromial impingement
Rotator cuff tendinitis/tendinosis
Arthritis, of the acromioclavicular (AC) or the glenohumeral joint
Rest, ice, anti-inflammatory medication and physical therapies should be followed by correction of the predisposing factors and the causes of injury. Attention should be paid to controlling the range of shoulders rotation especially at both extremes of the swing, to stretching exercises, and to muscular strengthening of the rotator cuff and scapular fixators. [1, 2]
2) Elbow
Lateral epicondylitis (“tennis elbow”)
Medial epicondylitis (“golfer’s elbow”)
Treatment can include immobilizing the hand and wrist using a splint for 1 to 2 weeks, the application of ice in the early phase of treatment (2 to 3 days), anti-inflammatory medication and physical therapy, all of which contribute to the control of the inflammatory response and to initiating the healing process. This can progress to an ongoing rehabilitation program that includes graduated stretching exercises and muscular strengthening of the wrist flexors and extensors of both sides. [1, 2]
3) Wrist
Wrist flexor or extensor tendinitis/tendinosis
Triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) tear
For both overuse and acute traumatic wrist injuries, treatment should aim to restore complete functional capacity to the golfer’s wrist. If any signs of functional limitation, including pain or limited range of motion, it is important to stop golf practice and seek care. Treatment can include controlling the inflammatory response through anti-inflammatory medication and the application of ice, short term wrist immobilization (wrist splint for 1 to 2 weeks), and physical therapies. Thereafter, gradual rehabilitation is necessary before returning to golf. [1, 2]
4) Low Back
Muscle strain
Arthritis (facet arthropathy)
Many low back conditions will improve with rest, time, physical therapies, and a good lower back rehabilitation program designed to maximize flexibility and strength. A long term treatment and prevention approach is also essential. This can include a thorough warm-up routine, maintaining strength of key muscles (such as the external obliques and perispinal muscles) and the improvement of technical skills. [1, 2]
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Sources
1) Thériault G, Lachance P. Golf injuries. An overview. Sports Med. 1998;26(1):43-57.
2) Zouzias IC, Hendra J, Stodelle J, Limpisvasti O. Golf Injuries: Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, and Treatment. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2018;26(4):116-123.
