Golferıs Elbow
by Dr. Howard D. Fern

Does your arm hurt near your elbow? Does it feel even worse when you bend
your wrist? If so, you may suffer from golferıs elbow.
Formally termed medial epicondylitis, golferıs elbow, results from
over-using the forearm muscles and tendon that attach to the inside bump
(the epicondyle) of the elbow. Specifically located on the palm side of the
forearm, these muscles and tendon allow the wrist and fingers to bend
downward, and if a person over-uses these muscles, small tears occur in the
tendon. Then, every swing of the club causes further injury, scar tissue
forms and pain develops.

For a right-handed player, golferıs elbow begins at or near the top of the
back swing and proceeds down to pre-impact, during which the right forearm
muscle stretches and pulls on the tendon. Just one swing can cause this
painful condition. 

Additional elbow stress can be caused by steel and graphite driver shafts,
as well as modern golf techniques that use a tightly coiled wind up and an
expansive swing. And, upon impact with the ball, a golfer can also develop
another condition known as lateral epicondylitis (commonly called tennis
elbow).  

But, donıt fear; golferıs elbow can be prevented. Here are a few tips: 1)
Before playing, stretch your forearm muscles by bending your wrist downward
and upward, using light pressure from the other hand. 2) Massage the muscles
or use moist heat to increase blood flow and flexibility. 3) Get your clubs
evaluated by a pro shop specialist, especially making sure the grip size is
not too small.  4) Get your stroke/technique critiqued by golf pro
instructor for any biomechanical problems. 5) Improve the strength in your
forearm muscles using free weights. 6) Apply ice over the elbow joints for
15-20 minutes after playing each round of golf.

If youıre injured, take some time off from golfing or, at the very least,
decrease the amount of time that you play. Use ice for 48 hours following
the injury, and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication, like
ibuprofen, may help for a short period of time. You can also use a forearm
brace to reduce stress to the tendon of the elbow, but keep in mind that a
brace is not a cure.

If your symptoms persist for more than seven to 10 days, you should be
checked by a chiropractor or another health care professional who deals with
soft tissue and joint injuries. A rehabilitation program designed by your
health care provider may be needed to prevent further injuries and decrease
down time from playing. Remember golf can be a painful sport, but it should
not be played in pain.

For more information, call (602) 996-9300 to reach Dr. Howard D. Fern,
Chiropractor, whose offices are located in Mesa and Paradise Valley.