From aches and pains caused by tendonitis to more serious sprains and fractures, golfers can expect many potential injuries if they're not careful.
One of the most common injuries many players will face is to the wrist. Golfers increase risk for wrist injury by:
- overusing their wrists
- poor swing mechanics or technique
- lack of warm-ups or physical conditioning
- trauma, like heavy impact during a downswing to a tree root
Wrist injuries can include:
Tendonitis - This usually develops in the leading hand. Wrist pain and injury on the back side of the wrist are more common. With repetitive strain over time, these tendons can get irritated. Tendonitis can develop over the course of a few months or weeks, but it can also occur after one game or at the range, if you don't have have proper preparation or aren't used to the course.
Tears, Fractures & Sprains - Ligaments on the wrist can be torn or sprained due to a loose or improper grip. Ulnar tunnel syndrome is nerve damage to wrist caused by the repeated hammering of the club handle against the palm. Over time, this can cause pain, inflammation, numbness, and weaken one's grip. Fractured wrist bones, like the hamate bone, can occur if the club hits the ground abnormally and compresses the club's handle against your wrist bones. And if your club hits an object, like a tree root, causing an abnormal twist in your wrist, you may suffer from a wrist sprain.
Avoiding and Treating Wrist Pain
Avoid wrist pain and injury by giving your wrists a break. Tone down your intensity and frequency of playing to give the irritated and painful area time to rest and calm down. Focus on proper mechanics and techniques like keeping your wrists and hands parallel. Maintaining health, strength and flexibility in your wrists and forearms can also help avoid and relieve wrist pain and injury. From wrist compression and wrist rolling to forearm compression and forearm rolling, The Gelliflex Abacus® provides self-care to these targeted areas with numerous techniques.
When in doubt about whether the wrist pain you're feeling is just temporary aches vs. serious injury, seek medical attention.