Golf Injuries to the Hand, Wrist Or Elbow

Golf Injuries to the Hand, Wrist or Elbow

Hand, wrist and elbow injuries are common for golf- hand (left hand for a right handed player). In the ers of all skill levels. The golf swing is a complex, co- elbow, this can sometimes be referred to as medial ordinated series of motions. Golf injuries can result epicondylitis or “golfer’s elbow.” Pain is often on the from poor technique or overuse. They can also result inner, or medial, part of the elbow. This is where the from a single direct blow, like hitting a tree root. muscles that bend the wrist and fingers attach (Fig- ure 1). Lateral epicondylitis, also known as “tennis el- The following are a few ways that could reduce the bow,” is another form of tendonitis in which the pain chances of an injury while golfing: is mostly on the outer part of the elbow. It is more common than golfer’s elbow, despite the name. 1. Proper warm up and stretching is important. Make sure you stretch hamstrings, calves, obliques, back, shoulders, and wrists before you begin golfing. 2. It is not advised to have sudden, large changes in the number of swings of the club. At the beginning of the season, gradually increase length of play and intensity as the season progresses. 3. Make sure you have good aerobic conditioning and core muscle strength to improve swing mechanics. 4. It may help to get instruction with a teach- ing professional to refine technique. This is especially important if you are new to golf or Figure 1: The inner aspect of the elbow where medial haven’t played in a while. epicondylitis, one of the common golf injuries, causes painful tendonitis. Types of Golf Injuries Golf injuries can include tendonitis, sprains or frac- Initial treatment for tendonitis consists of rest, ice, tures (broken bones). These injuries may arise by the stretching, splinting and anti-inflammatory medica- repeated stress of practicing the golf swing. Grip- tions. For tennis elbow, try to lift objects palm up. ping activities like hammering or heavy lifting can For golfer’s elbow, try to lift objects with the palm also cause these injuries. Some specific golf injuries down. Tendonitis can be improved by certain exercis- may include: es. These exercises stretch and strengthen muscles and tendons. These can be recommended by a hand Sprained Wrist therapist. Changing grips on the golf club may also A sprain is an injury to a ligament. Ligaments con- help. Sometimes steroid injections (also known as nect one bone to another. Symptoms most often a cortisone shot) are tried. Most epicondylitis will involve pain and popping in the wrist. Mild sprains resolve after many months. A small number of cases may be treated with a cold treatment (ice), anti-in- may require surgery to relieve the pain. flammatories, rest, and splints. More severe or pain that is lasting longer than you expected should be Hamate Bone Fractures evaluated by a hand surgeon. Imaging of the wrist This injury often occurs when the club strikes the may be necessary to look for a fracture or abnormal ground. When this happens, the handle presses separation of the bones. When x-rays do not reveal against the boney hook-shaped part of the hamate the cause of pain, sometimes a MRI is needed. Some bone (Figures 2, 3 and 4). The hook part of the bone sprains are severe enough that they require surgery. can break, causing pain in the heel of the hand. This hook fracture often does not heal. The unhealed Tendonitis fracture may have rough edges that result in a flexor In the wrist, tendonitis often occurs in the leading tendon rupture months or years later. Thus, the

© 2020 American Society for Surgery of the Hand | www.HandCare.org Mallet Finger most common treatment is to perform a surgery to remove the hook of hamate. This often resolves the pain and protects against tendon rupture.

Damaged Blood Vessels Blood vessel damage can happen from the club handle repeatedly striking the palm. “Hypothenar Hammer Syndrome” describes an injury to the ulnar artery. The ulnar artery is one of the main arteries to the hand. This occurs where repeated blows weaken the vessel wall. It then causes it to increase in size, and sometimes a blood clot forms. There is often pain in the palm, and sometimes disrupted blood Figure 3: Small bones of the wrist can be involved in flow going to the fingertips. There may also be pain, golf injuries. numbness and color changes in the fingertips. This enlarging blood vessel may require surgery.

Figure 4: CT scan showing fracture of hook of hamate at its base

Figure 2: Hook of the hamate as it grips a golf club. The hook part of the bone can break, causing a hamate bone fractures, one of the common golf injuries.