Golfer's elbow

[swingpure]

I have just been diagnosed with golfer's elbow at the physio clinic. They treated it with heat, massage, ultra sound and cold. They want me back in, in a few days and have recommended stretches, self massage (of the arm and elbow) and cold packs after use.

My question is for others who have had this. Did you find that you had any loss of power when you had this?

I also have an inflammed left rotator cuff to go along with the left elbow problem. I don't have any pain when I swing or feel any limitations to my range of motion, but I do find that I have a slight power loss.

I am thinking that the injuries are the reason, but if no one else who has experienced these problems, has experience a power loss, then I can focus on my swing.

thanks

swingpure

[dekker]

Sounds like you need some time off from the matts. Work on your chips and putts and give that elbow a rest.Once it includes your rotator you seriously need to take a break and let it heal.

[hogannut]

I have been dealing with this for a few years now. I found a magnetic bracelet has really helped, along with a good supply of Lacota. I also wear an elbow tensor. I have not noticed a loss of power, but I do not hit nearly as many balls at the range anymore. Welcome to middle age!!

[Chambokl]

I went to graphite shaft and had no problems in the last 3 years. I play lots and also hit balls at the range...

[corchard]

As I understand it an acute tendonitis injury (i.e. hitting a rock) will take time 3 months to heal and you should avoid any golf like activities until your physio clears you. A cronic injury can be caused by overuse (hitting on mats all day) or by a swing flaw (outside in, hyperextended elbows...). The best bet is to see a physio who understands proper golf mechanics or golf pro grounded in biomechanics and have them look at your swing.

Based on your description I'd guess that you're rotating your left arm too much. If your elbow is pointed to the ground at takeaway then there is no give in the elbow and it transfers impact to your shoulder. This leads to a very powerful swing but causes damage almost immediately

My 2 cents.

[Louie]

I've got it as well. My left elbow, I just keep golfing and wait for the winter then it can heal at that time. No loss of power for me, but the odd swing really aggrivates it. I use a thick rubber band on the outside of my fingers and open my fingers repetedly several times a day. Seems to really work for me.

[swingpure]

Thanks for the tips. I have another physio appointment on Thursday. I am going to continue to golf, but will cut back on the iron practice. I believe that I injured it from many, many hours of practice on the mats.

I was shown some exercises to help stretch out the forearm muscle. Essentially I have to stretch out that muscle to make it long again and not bunched up.

I may try an elbow brace for the times that I do practice and ice it after practice and games.

I'm usually a fast healer, so I am hoping that it will be better in weeks rather than months.

[NICK S]

How are your divots? Thick, thin, pointed in any direction away from the line you intended...

Another reason is a weak grip. If your hands aren't on the club correctly, your thrust with your right arm (I'm assuming you're RH) could be forcing the arm to rotate to compensate for the grip.

[rbaker]

I have it in both Arms outside Elblows. I have been on ICE 7 nights a week since January.
Once the golf season is over it swells up like a balloon.


RB:(

[swingpure]

My grip is fine. I have been erratic the last three weeks of play so my divots are all over the place.

I still have it. Despite physio it hasn't got better. I'm not sure if the cause is from golf or ergonomics from my desk at work.

My iron power is off. Can't tell if it is a swing flaw or the tendinitis. The physio person also thinks I might have a pinched nerve also adding to the weakness in the left arm.

It only hurts in the golf swing if I hit fat or if I really extend.

It does hurt when I put on, or take off my bag or funny enough when I try to remove a driver head cover. If you watched me swing you would not think that there was anything wrong. ( At least with my elbow )

[DashRipRock]

You can use an arm band to relieve the stress but the arm band may make the problem worst. The arm band will allow the problem area to get even weaker.

In the off season you need to continue with the massage, ultra sound and cold and might want to look into laser treatments.

You need to work on making those muscles stonger with 2-4 lbs hand weights. Continuing to golf may make the injury so bad you will need surgury. If your Doc says it's OK to golf then continue.

Good luck

[hoganapexplus]

No loss of power and your best bet is to wear a tensor of some sort that doesn't feel too awkward. Also, physio should be setting up some exercises for you to strengthen your elbow.

[Weirfan]

golfers elbow is what is technically called epicondylitis....it can be on the lateral ( outside) most commno in golf or medial ( inside) more common in throwing sports.

epicondylitis ...is inflammation of the area around the epicondyle ( anything with itis attached = inflamation)

the epicondyles are bony structures in the elbow where the tendons of the forearm musculature attach....

the cause is simple...repetitive motion.....often due to gripping and torsion stresses when gripping


there is only one way to get this better and that is REST.....ice and compression will also help and if it is really bad , anti inflammatories and a course of physio are required..

in very severe cases ..as I had as a competive javelin thrower ( medial epicondylitis) cortisone

any gripping is gonna aggravate it....and in some cases even eating, typing etc are painful

when it gets better you can buy a lass strap that places pressure on the muscle belly and not the insertion, take advil before you play ,, stretch before and after and ice

if it becomes chronic....lets hope not...equipment changes can help a bit..... larger grips and more vibration dampening shafts...but lets hope not

Right now REST...REST...REST