Golfers can avoid injury with some changes
Published: March 7, 2008 at 1:01 PM
HOUSTON , March 7 (UPI) -- A few changes in mechanics can help golfers avoid painful wrist injuries, a Houston orthopedic surgeon suggests.
Dr. William J. Bryan of The Methodist Center for Sports Medicine says most wrist injuries occur in the lead hand -- left for right-handed, right for left-handed -- and are due to overuse with the most common injury tendonitis, or swelling of the tendons responsible for wrist movement.
A recent study of 200 golfers found nearly 35 percent reported some type of hand or wrist injury -- most experience pain in the wrist as well as swelling and a creaking or grinding sensation when the wrist is flexed, Bryan said.
"You will lessen the whip on the wrist if you slow down your back swing," Bryan said in a statement. "Also, try and flatten out the back swing. This will decrease the chances that the club will come down, hit the ground and take a big divot."
The hand alignment can also contribute to wrist pain and it's imperative that both hands be in parallel alignment, Bryan said.
Another way to prevent wrist injuries is to have strong core muscles -- stomach, hips, etc. A weak core tends to throw the club at the ball to get more velocity and distance putting a strain on the wrist.
Dr. William J. Bryan of The Methodist Center for Sports Medicine says most wrist injuries occur in the lead hand -- left for right-handed, right for left-handed -- and are due to overuse with the most common injury tendonitis, or swelling of the tendons responsible for wrist movement.
A recent study of 200 golfers found nearly 35 percent reported some type of hand or wrist injury -- most experience pain in the wrist as well as swelling and a creaking or grinding sensation when the wrist is flexed, Bryan said.
"You will lessen the whip on the wrist if you slow down your back swing," Bryan said in a statement. "Also, try and flatten out the back swing. This will decrease the chances that the club will come down, hit the ground and take a big divot."
The hand alignment can also contribute to wrist pain and it's imperative that both hands be in parallel alignment, Bryan said.
Another way to prevent wrist injuries is to have strong core muscles -- stomach, hips, etc. A weak core tends to throw the club at the ball to get more velocity and distance putting a strain on the wrist.
© 2008 United Press International. All Rights Reserved.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
» Next in Health:
Alberta pharmacists to write prescriptions
Latest Headlines
- Stroke outcome helped by clot-busting drug
- Study casts doubt on high-salt diet risk
- Huckabee jokes about Obama gunman
- Flights at N.Y.-area airports to be capped
- Strike closes five Norwegian airports
- Senator: McCain's military roots limit him
- Study: Fish underwent 'reverse evolution'
- Most don't understand healthcare coverage
Most Popular