Golf is played by millions of people all around the globe. For many, playing two or three rounds of golf a week is the perfect exercise, but, it does come with some health risks. The shoulder joints are particularly at risk of injury due to the full range of motion that is required.
Golf is unique in the way that the shoulders are expected to perform. Each shoulder has a different task to enable the full swing. As a result, there are different types of injuries to each shoulder but, one painful condition that occurs in both shoulders is a rotator cuff tear.
The rotator cuff is four tendons which support the upper arm and help with the rotating movement essential in golf. It does not affect every golfer in the same way. Tendonitis is where the tendons become swollen and painful and you are likely to experience the pain of this when raising your arm. In addition, bursitis is another common problem when the arm is raised. This is where fluid builds up over the tendons below the rotator cuff. This is a very painful condition and would make playing the game an impossibility.
So, what can be done?
Well, if you are a keen golfer, and your arm hurts when you raise it, there is the potential for a rotator cuff problem. These injuries can affect all golfers but as it is a repetitive type condition then, those that play more frequently are more likely to suffer from it.
The arthroscopic cuff repair may provide a solution. This technique is popular as it is the least disruptive cosmetically. There is also a significant reduction in scarring compared to other invasive treatments and less chance for an infection to set in. It is also the one treatment that enables you to get back playing golf in the shortest recovery time.
The procedure requires a camera to be inserted into the shoulder so that the tendons can be seen properly. Then a fluid is passed in, so the medical expert can view any damage. The repair usually requires some stitches to hold the tendon in place.
If you are a golf enthusiast, the last thing you will want is to miss out on the game for an extended period and this treatment helps you to get back onto the course fairly quickly. Some golfers have even expressed their delight in that they can provide a better swing action thereafter. This is likely to be because their swing was originally deficient due to the early stages of the injury. In some cases, it can be of benefit to ask a golf professional to examine your swing to make sure there are no obvious biomechanical errors in the movement. This may prevent further injuries. There is a lot that can be done to avoid this type of problem in the first place and to support this, here is some additional reading, which may help in the future.
If you are based in or are visiting Arizona and would like to find out more about how this procedure works or even book an appointment. Then check out this link to one of Phoenix’s leading healthcare specialists. Don’t let a rotator cuff problem be your handicap.
