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Golf injuries of the upper extremity
Ethan R Wiesler1, Boyd Lumsden
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA. ewiesler@wfubmc.edu
Journal of Surgical Orthopaedic Advances
|March 16, 2005
Summary
Golf injuries are common, with upper extremity issues most frequent and likely to cause missed play. Injury patterns vary by player level, with professionals often injuring wrists and amateurs their elbows.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Orthopedics
- Biomechanics
Background:
- Golf's rising popularity correlates with increased injury awareness.
- Upper extremity injuries are more common than specific back injuries in golf.
- Injuries significantly impact a golfer's ability to play.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the patterns and causes of golf-related injuries.
- To differentiate injury types between professional and amateur golfers.
- To review treatment strategies for golf injuries.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on golf injuries.
- Analysis of injury data based on player level and body part.
- Identification of contributing factors like overuse, age, and swing mechanics.
Main Results:
- Upper extremity injuries are the most frequent overall in golf.
- Professional golfers most commonly injure their hand/wrist; amateurs most commonly injure their elbow.
- Overuse is the primary cause of most upper extremity golf injuries.
Conclusions:
- Most golf-related upper extremity injuries are treatable with conservative methods.
- Non-surgical interventions like rest, anti-inflammatories, and rehabilitation are typically effective.
- Surgery is rarely needed but can be successful when required.