If you need help with golf injuries, you are in the right place with Dr. Alfie Arcidiacono and his team at SportSpineSolutions. The popularity of golf has steadily increased over the past ten to fifteen years, with the average golfer playing around 37 rounds each year. That number doesn't include practice days yet. Given this number, it is not surprising that the rate of golf injuries is also on the rise. Many golf professionals and amateurs choose SportSpineSolutions to help maintain and improve their handicap not only be treating common injuries, but more importantly how to prevent golf injuries!
Golf is generally considered a low impact sport. After all, you do not need to run around or hit other people with your body just like basketball or football. While these contact sports have high injury rates, it cannot be denied that golfers also have their share of aches and pains, too. What are these? Watch our video or download our PDF to read more on the top five injuries that golf players may suffer from and tips to help (coming soon!) For an appointment request please email info@sportspinesolutions.com.au or call 02 9970 7611 your SportSpineSolutions clinician to get you on your feet fast!
Dr. Alfie Arcidiacono says
Physical examination and diagnostic MRI and/or CT Scans diagnose low back injuries. It is important to rule out other more serious pathology such as inflammatory arthritic conditions, malignancy and referred pain from other diseases organs such as the prostate, kidneys and large bowel.
Poor body mechanics when retrieving the ball.
Incorrect club shaft lengths.
Poor spinal stability due to poor abdominal strength.
Typically, low back injury is primarily caused by poorly timed muscular coordination, stiffness of the muscle, poor spinal biomechanics and most commonly repetition. Without proper care, the injured tissues can degenerate over time especially if ignored.
SportSpineSolutions also recommends proper rest and treatment, applying ice immediately to reduce inflammation and reduce tissue damage. We can assist if symptoms persist by providing with the help of a specifically designed rehabilitation program to strengthen and stabilise the spine. Taping can be beneficial to limit further damage on occasion. Please see low back pain for more specific details and exercises.
Symptoms
Tendonitis, tears or impingement of the rotator cuff can cause pain in the shoulder or upper arms. This can manifest during various phases of the golf swing. Your shoulders may also hurt when you raise your arms over your head that is a classic sign of an impingement syndrome. These injuries often seem ‘trivial’ in nature and can lead to long-term consequences like arthritis and chronic pain syndromes.
Diagnosis
An attending clinician may require tests such as X-rays, CT scans or MRIs to confirm and determine the severity of the condition however most problems can be assessed with a thorough musculoskeletal examination which should include a functional assessment of the glenohumeral-scapula-thoracic complex.
Risk Factors
Poor strength and flexibility of your scapular and shoulder muscles are the primary concerns, however good spinal function is paramount as a foundation. A professional assessment with a golf professional is recommended to ensure your swing is optimised.
You Can…
Golf injury specialists at SportSpineSolutions recommend the similar PRICE principle for this injury. Once pain is managed, a clinician will recommend hands-on therapy and prescriptive exercises to restore balance strength and flexibility to the shoulder girdle. Ligaments may take up to twelve weeks to heal, but individual recovery can vary depending on the athlete’s rehabilitation program. Golfers are at risk of suffering injury again if their post injury rehabilitation is not followed, as strict discipline affords great result. Regular and frequent spinal adjusts also valuable. You should also try to slow down your backswings to reduce stress on your shoulders.
Golfer’s Kneeling Down to Knee Pain
Symptoms
Golf related kneecap pain or a torn meniscus usually causes knee injuries. The symptoms include clicking, pain and swelling which is aggravated by movement like walking, squatting and twisting.
Diagnosis
Most knee injuries can be assessed by a physical examination; however there are many variants of knee injuries that require very specific treatment, hence diagnostic certainty is critical. Your SportSpineSolutions practitioner may refer you for an X-ray, ultrasound or MRI. Your clinician may refer you to an Orthopaedic Specialist if a surgical opinion is warranted.
Risk Factors
Pre-existing knee problems may contribute to your knee complaint, with the most common underlying reason being a torn-meniscus or ACL instability. An older golfer may also have a degree of arthritis, hence a loss of mobility required during the golf swing, and perhaps further aggravated by walking on an uneven terrain. A good reason to take the buggy!
You Can…
A few great golf tips to avoid knee injury include:
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Consider using spikeless shoes, which reduce stress on the knees when twisting your body
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Use short irons to minimise knee stress
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Avoid returning to full swinging
If pain persists, the golf injuries specialists at SportSpineSolutions recommend rest and ice initially, and limit weigh bearing. Please note if there is any swelling and if the swelling occurred immediately after the pain or after some time. Also, be on the look out for any locking, clicking or catching which are vital clues for the clinician. Once your condition is diagnosed, the clinician will recommend hands-on therapy and prescriptive exercises to restore strength and flexibility. Muscles and ligaments may take up to twelve weeks to heal, but individual recovery can vary depending on the athlete’s rehabilitation program. If there is a pre-existing condition such as arthritis, game modification may be necessary or a surgical opinion may be considered.
The golfer's elbow, also known as tennis elbow, refers to soreness, inflammation and pain manifesting on the upper arm area right near the elbow.
You Can
To prevent golfer's elbow, consider the following:
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Practice on real turf instead of rubber mats.
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Bring your club back slowly after doing a backswing.
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Keep the transition smooth from backswings to downswings.
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Consider a tennis elbow splint with caution!
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Affecting Your Golf Grip
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| Carpal Tunnel Syndrome compressing the median nerve. |
Carpal tunnel syndrome is another common injury caused by golfing, and is manifested by hand weakness, numbness of the fingers and clumsiness.
You can avoid carpal tunnel syndrome by replacing club handle grips on a regular basis. Try to reduce pressure as you grip the club handles as well.
If symptoms persist, visit your SportSpineSolutions expert for a professional opinion to discuss treatment options. Conservative hands-on-care often yields excellent results. It is also essential exclude the cervical spine (neck) which may cause nerve entrapments that may also mimic carpal tunnel syndrome.
What Else Can You Do?
Here are some things to keep in mind to prevent a wide range of golf injuries:
- Don’t rush and play right away! Always warm up and stretch, and try to do so for a good ten minutes. Don't forget to cool down after the game too!
- Strengthen your body. Keep your muscles flexible and strong by undertaking a strength and fitness program.
- Practice, practice, practice. Gradually increase your intensity of your practice sessions, since this can also reduce your risk of injury. Magnesium supplements can be an excellent assistance when endurance is required.
- Do things right! Follow proper technique and form when swinging and make sure that you wear the right shoes and protective equipment all the time.
In The Event of Golf Injuries…
Make sure that you do stop all activities that may cause pain, and that includes playing golf. Follow the PRICE Method for all soft tissue injuries. Protection, Rest, Ice, Compress and Elevate the injured area if possible. This will reduce pain, inflammation and swelling. You may also need to use braces for these, but may need help from a specialist for these cases.
For more useful information please visit
www.sportspinesolutions.com.au or call 02 9970 7611 for a consultation.
So...in terms of expectations it is essential to appreciate there is no "QUICK FIX" and such false thinking is a recipe for disaster and disappointment. Of course we would like to see "Disney Magic" with every patient we see...perhaps sprinkle some "Pixie Dust" to see an instant result.
