On a beautiful day, there’s no better way to spend your afternoon than by playing a round of golf. For centuries, this prestigious game has held competitions all over the world, crowning some of the greatest athletes in the history of sport.
Unfortunately, as with all sports, golfers have been subject to numerous injuries over those years. Below are three of the most common gofling injuries and conditions our orthopedic specialists in Nashville, TN and Franklin, TN see.
One of the most persistent injuries in golf is back pain. In a sport with as much movement and repetitive motions as golf, including hunching over throughout a course of hours, injury to any part of the back can develop. Back muscle strains and disc herniation are common injuries due to golf.
Our orthopedic spine specialists, Dr. Glattes and Dr. Crosby, suggest strengthening and stretching your back and implementing safe movements in a complicated swing to avoid ending up in their clinic.
Another common golf injury is knee pain. With constant extensions and rotations of different parts of the knee, even the slightest of wrong movements can leave it susceptible to injury. Examples of knee injuries we frequently see include a torn meniscus, ligament tears, and patellar tendonitis.
Our knee doctors recommend that you do not attempt to play through minor knee pain. Doing so may lead to bigger issues that require surgery. If you suffer an injury that requires a visit to a knee specialist, you can book an appointment with one of our knee doctors near you.
Although tendonitis can occur in the knee, it can affect any area where bones and muscles meet. As a golf swing involves many parts of the body working together, several tendons are at risk. Areas of concern include the shoulder, elbow, and wrist.
Risk for tendinitis increases with age. Training with safe movements can help to reduce your chance of suffering elbow, wrist, or shoulder pain. If you do experience an injury to your upper extremities, our hand specialists in Nashville, TN and Franklin, TN can help you return to form.
Golf can be a safe sport with a proper training regimen put into place. Age and form are two major reasons players enduring these golf injuries. Practicing good form and maintaining a healthy body weight are ways that you can prevent injury in the future.
While we hope to provide measures for avoiding a golfing injury in another blog - Orthopedic Specialist Tips: Fundamentals of a Safe Golf Swing - if you do experience one of these common conditions, you may want to schedule an appointment with one of our orthopedic specialists in Nashville, TN or Franklin, TN.
