Golf is a sport that involves a considerable amount of strain through the upper body, particularly the lower back, shoulders, elbows, and wrists. While it may not be a high-impact sport, it can result in musculoskeletal injuries, especially if the player does not warm up, stretch or build muscle to counteract overuse injuries.
So if you’ve been playing numerous rounds of golf at Merion Golf Club with your buddies, pay attention.
What Causes Golf Injuries?
Golf injuries are usually caused by any repetitive action that puts a strain on the musculoskeletal system, especially if the player doesn’t warm up, stretch or build muscle to counteract overuse injuries. The impact of swinging a golf club as well as the forceful rotational movement can also lead to elbow injuries, sprained elbows and traumatic injuries.
The following are the most common types of injuries among those who play golf:
Back Pain
The one-sided, powerful rotational action of a golf swing causes some strain to the lower back. Many issues affecting this area of the body can be resolved quickly and easily with physiotherapy and rest, but if left untreated, may lead to more serious conditions.
Common causes of lower back pain in golfers include:
Ligament sprain or muscle strain – the muscles and ligaments of your back are stretched, leading to inflammation, pain and muscle spasms.
Disc injuries – if you have any damage to the discs that separate the vertebrae of your spine, a golf swing will only worsen the condition. Disc degeneration, ruptured or herniated discs are all vulnerable to the repetitive movement of a golf swing.
Arthritis – the degeneration of bone and cartilage in the joints of your lower back can be caused by repetitive actions in golf, leading to stiffness and pain.
Bone fracture – stress fractures in your spine can also happen as a result of repetitive rotational movements.
Shoulder Pain
The golf swing requires strong movement and force and your shoulders are the ones that suffer the most. While many conditions affecting the shoulders have similar symptoms – weakness, inflammation and pain – it is important to get the correct diagnosis to treat your shoulder pain effectively.
Common shoulder conditions in golfers include:
Subacromial impingement –impingement and inflammation of the rotator cuff tendons that mobilize and support your shoulder joint.
AC joint pain – this is caused by an injury to the shoulder joint.
Rotator cuff tears – the group of tendons and muscles that surround the shoulder joint can get damaged or stretched by the repetitive movement of a golf swing.
SLAP tear – the ring of cartilage that surrounds the socket of the labrum or shoulder joint can get torn as a result of over-rotation when you swing.
Arthritis – overuse of any joint leads to the wear and tear of the smooth cartilage which then result in the exposure of the bone leading to friction, bone misalignment, spurs and soft tissue damage.
Instability – any soft tissue injury can cause the bones of the joint to dislocate.
Elbow Tendinitis
The tendons that attach your forearm muscles to the elbow joint can get pinched, stretched or torn due to overuse. The elbow tendons can be stressed by the way you hold your club. Elbow tendons can also be damaged by the club striking the ground or a solid object.
Treatment Options of Golf Related Injuries
Rest and Ice
One of the most important things you can do to treat a golf injury is to rest the affected area and apply ice to reduce inflammation and pain. This can help to speed up the healing process and prevent further injury.
Physical Therapy
This is an effective treatment option for many golf injuries. This can include exercises to improve flexibility and strength in the affected area, as well as manual therapy to reduce pain and improve mobility.
Medication
Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen can help to reduce pain and inflammation in golf injuries. In more severe cases, prescription medications may be necessary to manage pain and promote healing.
Surgery
In some cases, surgery may be necessary to repair a golf injury. This is often the case for severe rotator cuff tears or spinal disc injuries that cannot be treated with other methods.
Prevention
Prevention is always the best course of action when it comes to golf injuries. Warm up properly before playing, use proper technique during swings, and use equipment that is properly fitted to your body.
Here are some tips to avoid golf injuries: