Can I Injure My Shoulder in Golf?
mANY THINK THAT Golf is a sport with near-zero injury risk. This is far from the truth – when compared to sports like rugby and hockey, the likelihood of injury is actually much higher. One of the most commonly injured joints golfers experience is the shoulder.
The most COMMON SHOULDER INJURIES & TREATMENT:
Rotator Cuff: This is the most common golf injury — depending on the severity, a treatment plan with conservative measures might be prescribed. Treatment typically involves at-home stretching exercises, pain medications, and physical therapy. When these treatment options don’t seem to be solving the problem, that is when your physician may recommend surgery.
Shoulder Instability: Another common shoulder injury due to playing golf is instability. This is when the shoulder joint ball moves either partially or completely out of the socket from excessive stretching or tearing. There are times when shoulder surgery is recommended to tighten ligaments and restore joint stability.
Frozen Shoulder: This is very painful and causes stiffness in the shoulder joint — treatment usually will include over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and physical therapy.
How to Help Prevent Injury:
Practice good form: Repetitive misuse of form and technique can lead to shoulder injuries. Your form can be improper in many ways, from grasping the club incorrectly to swinging too hard. Don't be afraid to ask for help if necessary and practice proper form.
Choose the right equipment: Be sure to consider things like club length and weight. Using equipment that is not right for you increases your chance of injury.
Listen to your body: When swinging, be aware of how your shoulder feels. In the event that you begin to experience discomfort, you might want to sit out a few rounds until the pain subsides. Remember — YOU ARE YOUR BODY’S BEST ADVOCATE!
Don’t let shoulder pain stop you from Staying On The Course!
If you are experiencing shoulder pain and are tired of having to sit out on rounds, we encourage you to schedule an appointment with our shoulder specialist, Dr. Srinivasan. He has a special interest in rotator cuff repairs, reconstruction (tendon transfers), reverse total shoulder arthroplasty, anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty, and revision shoulder arthroplasty — when it comes to shoulder pain, he’s your guy! Plus he’s an avid golfer himself!!
Want to learn more about our physicians, specialties, and more? Check out our website.