Such a great sport as there is no age limit and it has many unwritten rules. Focus, execution, and etiquette are important aspects of this game. Because golf is a sport with significant rotational movements involving the core muscles (hips, pelvis, spine, abdominals), the shoulders, and arms, injuries can occur due to the repetitive motion and the effects of coiling and uncoiling the swing. Some common injuries include
Shoulder
- Tendonitis: Commonly in golfers, the shoulder rotator cuff muscles can become painful and inflamed due to overuse from stabilizing the shoulder joint for golf related swing movements. As individuals can play golf year round, the risk of shoulder pain and injury increases with more play and poor swing mechanics. With early diagnosis and treatment of shoulder rotator cuff problems that can contribute to impingement, we can help you return back to sport as soon as possible
Elbow
- Tennis elbow and Golfer’s elbow: Involve pain affecting the tendons on the outside and inside of the elbow respectively and can become painful with gripping activity like gripping a golf club or carrying the golf bag
Hand and wrist
- Tendonitis: Due to the many hand and wrist tendons that flex and extend the wrist and the repetitive nature of golf, wrist tendonitis resulting from inflammation or scar tissue affecting the tendons are common.
- Sprain and strain: With golf, an awkward shot can injure muscles and ligaments of the hand resulting in a sprain/strain injury
- Sprains (jammed finger): This is a common injury when the ball impacts the finger tip on a pass or contact with another player
Spine
- Sprains and strains: Muscle injuries to the spine area can occur and contribute to pain with the golf swing and bending over movements
- Arthritis: involving the neck and low back can flare up with the golf swing and we benefit from regular stretching and core strengthening to keep the muscles supporting the spine strong
Hip
- Sprains and strains: Sometimes a sudden swing movement can lead to an injury to the hamstrings or other hip muscles
- Labral tear: Though not as common in the hip as the shoulder, hip labral tears can be a source of hip pain and limitations in activity
Knee
- Patellofemoral Pain: This is a common cause of knee pain in golf due to the walking and uneven surfaces
- Meniscal tear: The shock absorbing meniscus between the bones of the knee can be vulnerable to twisting and shearing force in a golf swing resulting in a tear.
***If you are suffering from one of these injuries, or any other injury, schedule an appointment with Sports Health Northwest We want to help you get back to sport.
