One British study found that up to 57% of golfers are injured in one way or another during the course of a year. And in the United States, about 36,000 people are admitted to the hospital every year for golf-course injuries. The causes of injuries are distributed as follows: · blows with a club – 37%; · Hit the ball – 28%; · Sprains and injuries of ligaments – 10%; · Falls – 7%; · Other reasons – 18%. Approximately 15% of those who applied are hospitalized. By localization, in order of decreasing the frequency of injuries: · back; · Hand and forearm; · Elbow; · Shoulder; · Knee. Less common are eye injuries, head injuries, and stress fractures of the bones. Back Injuries While Playing Golf Typically, back injuries are associated with improper hitting of the ball with a golf club. Before the blow, the torso turns back, during the blow, it spins sharply. As a result, the muscles of the lower back and vertebrae L III – L IV have a significant load, due to which the muscles and ligaments of the lumbar spine can stretch and be injured. Symptoms: sharp pain in the lower back or exacerbation of chronic pain syndrome, activation of osteochondrosis. People with osteoporosis are at risk of a compression fracture of the lumbar vertebrae. Prevention: The main method of preventing such injuries is by teaching the correct swing and hitting technique. It is necessary that the hips and shoulders are included in the movement, reducing the torque on the spine. Also, players need to develop the flexibility of the upper spine, strengthen the latissimus dorsi muscle and knees with special exercises. Injuries to the wrist / hand while playing golf The club is quite heavy, so it gains a good supply of energy and impulse during the swing. Most of the injuries to the hands and wrists occur as a result of the hockey stick hitting the ground when it stops abruptly and all the stored energy is transferred to the hands. The second provocative moment is the wrong club choice. When it is too heavy for a particular player. Most often, the hook-shaped bone of the wrist of the leading hand is damaged, which is manifested by pain in the area of the base of the hand from the side of the little finger. These are the so-called joint injuries of the hand when playing golf. The second type of injury is extra-articular, involving tendon and muscle injuries. The tendons of the short flexors of the hand and the muscles of the forearms, which are especially loaded upon impact, suffer. Prevention: The only way to prevent such injuries is through professional club training and eye training. And if the injury did occur, then an appeal to a doctor and the implementation of all recommendations for treatment and rehabilitation. Injuries to the elbow while playing golf They are more common in women due to the length of the arm – they are often shorter than in men. The mechanics of injury are almost the same as for wrist injuries: hitting the ground, root of a tree, uncomfortable swing position. In this case, the flexor muscles of the forearm suffer (tendonitis develops). In addition, golfers fall and injure their elbows. Interestingly, for golfers, a typical chronic injury is typical for tennis players – “tennis elbow”. Golfer’s elbow, a chronic injury to the tendons of the inner group of muscles of the forearm, also occurs, but much less frequently. Symptoms are common – pain, discomfort in the forearm and elbow. Prevention : · hockey stick by size; · Optimal thickness of the handle; · Professional training in strike technique; · Development of the eye. Shoulder injuries while playing golf These are common – almost 17% of complaints. Frequent injuries: · rotator cuff of the shoulder; · Subacromial impingement syndrome; · Instability of the shoulder; · Arthritis. Acute injury is associated with the fact that at the peak of the swing, the humerus is in an unstable position, and if the movement is unsuccessful, the ligamentous apparatus is injured. Chronic damage (arthritis, instability) is associated with regular overload of the shoulder joint and is more common in experienced players. Symptoms: pain in the shoulder when swinging, during a blow. In case of dislocation due to instability, the arm becomes deformed and loses the ability to move. There is no prophylaxis , since the shoulder is not the strongest and most stable joint in the human body. Acutely injured players should not play golf until they have fully recovered. Shoulder arthroplasty is sometimes necessary for people with chronic pain. Whether it is possible to play golf after the operation, the doctor decides. Knee Injuries While Playing Golf Prerequisites for knee injury occur during a hit. During the swing, the right, supporting knee is loaded, and at the moment of impact, the main load is applied to the other leg. Since many golfers are over 60 years old, many will develop arthrosis deformans of the knee in varying degrees of severity. Additional loads during the game aggravate the pathology, provoke further progression of the degeneration of the articular cartilage. Therefore, most knee injuries in golfers are chronic. Acute trauma is very rare, but cases of patellar fracture as a result of rotating force of the thigh on the lower leg have been described. Prevention : timely treatment of arthrosis, adherence to the recommendations of a doctor and trainer, weight loss. Stress fractures They occur as in any other sport. When playing golf, the wrist, the shaft of the ulna, and the tibia often break. As a reminder, patients with osteoporosis are at risk of stress fracture of the lumbar vertebral bodies. Bottom line In general, golf is a sport with its own characteristics and risks. Most injuries happen while working with a stick, therefore, to prevent damage, a beginner needs professional support. If you love or play golf professionally, our clinic’s doctors are ready to assist in the treatment and prevention of golfers’ injuries.