Golf requires a great deal of skill, mental fortitude, and perseverance to become a true master of the sport. Although it may not look like a high impact sport, golf injuries can occur in participants of all skill levels. The explosive nature of a golf swing can put a great deal of stress on the body leading to acute or overuse injuries. In many cases, golf injuries can be prevented. Sports medicine doctor, Richard Cunningham, MD discusses common golf injuries and how to prevent them.

Golfer’s Elbow

Due to the mechanics of the golf swing, a lot of stress is put on the elbow joint. Classified as an overuse injury, golfer’s elbow–or medial epicondylitis–is a condition that causes pain and inflammation where the tendons of the forearm muscles attach to the bony bump on the inside of your elbow. Symptoms can be gradual or sudden. Symptoms of golfer’s elbow include:

• Pain and tenderness on the inside of the elbow. This pain can spread into your forearm and wrist.
• Stiffness, difficulty bending the elbow, or making a fist with your arm affected arm may hurt.
• Weakness, numbness and tingling can be felt in the elbow. A tingling sensation can sometimes be felt in the fingers.

Golfer’s elbow is not limited to golfers. Tennis players and other individuals who repeatedly use their wrists or clench their fingers also can develop golfer’s elbow. Most commonly, this injury can be treated with rest, ice, physical therapy, and anti-inflammatory medication. In cases where symptoms do not improve or get worse with non-surgical treatment, it is recommended to seek care from a sports medicine doctor.

Back Pain

The rotational stresses that occur during the golf swing can place considerable pressure on the spine and muscles in the back. Compounded with the fact that golfers spend four to five hours in a bent-over stance, repeating the same motion hundreds of times golf can cause minor strains in the back that can easily lead to severe injuries. It is important to add exercises that stretch and strengthen your back to keep your back healthy for golf.

Rotator Cuff Pain

Shoulder pain may be felt at various phases of the golf swing, or following play. Injuries to the rotator cuff can occur due to traumatic force from poor mechanics of the golf swing, hitting a root or rock, taking a deep divot, and overuse. Golfers can develop tendinitis, bursitis, and tears in the rotator cuff due to the repetitive nature of the golf swing.

Depending on the severity of the injury, rotator cuff injuries can be treated with rest, physical therapy, and anti-inflammatory medications. In more severe cases, surgical repair may be necessary to return to golfing. If you have sustained a rotator cuff injury or are experiencing persistent shoulder pain due to golf, contact shoulder specialist Dr. Richard Cunningham.

Knee Pain

Knee pain can occur due to the rotation of the hip axis during the beginning and end of a swing. Repetitive motion can lead to strain on the tendons and ligaments within the knee leading to knee pain. In more rare cases, extreme force can be placed on the knee resulting in torn ligaments. Individuals with arthritis in their knee can experience more problems due to the degenerative nature of the disease, which results in a gradual wearing away of joint cartilage.

Treatment of knee pain in golfers depends entirely on the cause of pain. If you are experiencing persistent symptoms, it is important to seek an opinion from a sports medicine doctor. Stretching, rest, and icing can all help alleviate symptoms.

Contact sports medicine specialist, Dr. Richard Cunningham, at 970-569-3240, if you have sustained a golf injury.