Common Golf Injuries and How to Avoid Them

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Golf is a great hobby – you get out in the sun, you get to hang out with your buddies, and (if you skip the cart) you get some good exercise walking the course. And, since it’s not a high contact sport and you don’t have high-speed projectiles flying right at you for a couple of hours at a time (think racquetball!), you may think it’s just about the safest sport around. But there are some injuries you should be on the lookout for!

3 common golf injuries

Be on the lookout for these 3 very common ailments golfers face, and try these techniques to avoid them:

1. Knee pain. Your entire body rotates when you swing a golf club, and of course that includes the knee. This can exacerbate arthritis or cause or aggravate a torn meniscus, the cartilage in the knee. To build up your leg muscles and help to take pressure off of the knee, do exercises that target the hip flexors, hamstrings, and quadriceps.

2. Golfer’s elbow. The technical term for this is “medial epicondylitis,” and it refers to an inflammation of the tendons and muscles on the inside of the elbow. Try to find a swing technique that minimizes stress on the elbow, and make sure you are using the right golf clubs for your size and strength.

3. Rotator cuff tendinitis. The rotator cuff is a group of tendons and muscles in the shoulder. Tendinitis is the inflammation of these tendons and muscles, and it can lead to pain and decreased function. To prevent rotator cuff tendinitis, stretch out your shoulders and arms before you start playing golf.

Golfers are always searching for the perfect swing technique, and having the correct technique can also help to prevent all of these problems. Having a good warm up/stretching routine in place before you play can help, too. If you find yourself with one of these golf injuries – or with any other problem that is preventing you from enjoying your favorite hobby – contact Sports, Occupational and Knee Surgery for an appointment. Call the office in San Antonio, TX, at (210) 696-9000 today!

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