Office Visit: Don’t Count on a Mulligan

By David Holden, MD

Since the emergence of Tiger Woods at the 1997 Masters, the country’s gone gaga for golf. More than 26 million Americans play the game and courses have popped up like frozen yogurt shops. But as the game has gained in popularity, so have golf-related injuries.

Whether it’s for business or pleasure, competition or just a leisurely 18 holes, improper technique can lead to discomfort, minor injury, or even joint replacement. On the golf course or at the driving range, your swing and technique can make or break a game, and in many cases, help avoid or cause serious pain. Last year, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), more than 115,000 Americans were treated for golf-related injuries. The most common were hand tenderness or umbness; shoulder, back and knee pain; golfer’s elbow; and wrist injuries, such as tendonitis or carpal tunnel syndrome.

Many of these injuries are suffered by beginners or those who haven’t learned proper technique or mechanics. While that’s probably the majority of us, it’s critical to maintain proper form, take it slow and regularly participate in a muscle conditioning program to reduce the risk of common golf injuries.

In an effort to reduce golf injuries, the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) recently released recommendations for golf injury-prevention. The recommendations include proper shoulder position, which can reduce stress on one’s neck and shoulders; the importance of performing wrist and forearm stretches to avoid golfer’s elbow; and engaging in lower back exercises to improve flexibility and muscle strength, which can help avoid lower back pain.

Also, it’s important to play with the proper equipment. Whether it’s selecting larger and softer club grips or switching to graphite shafts or clubs with a larger sweet-spot, being properly fitted for clubs can go a long way in reducing golf-related injuries.

For many golfers who have suffered serious injuries on the course or recently underwent joint-replacement surgery, it’s critical to listen to their body and ease back into the game slowly. Get adequate rest, always warm up and stretch well before playing and avoid undue strain on your replaced joint. Don’t get frustrated when you resume playing. Like all injuries, golf injuries take time to heal. The most important thing to remember is it’s a game and supposed to be fun.

David Holden, MD is a board-certified and fellowship trained orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist at McBride Clinic. He received his medical degree at the University of Texas Medical School in Houston, Texas, following his bachelor’s degree at Duke University. Dr. Holden completed his residency in Orthopedic Surgery in 1983 at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. He completed a fellowship in Knee and Sports Medicine in 1983 at Longbeach Memorial Hospital and a second fellowship in Knee and Sports Medicine at Orthopaedic and Fracture Clinic of Eugene, Oregon. He is board-certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, with a subspecialty certificate in Orthopedic Sports Medicine.

Dr. Holden provides sports medicine coverage for the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma Baptist University, St. Gregory's University, Southwestern Oklahoma State University and is the Team physician for Casady School in Oklahoma City.

Dr. Holden joined McBride Clinic in 1984. He holds memberships with the American Medical Association, Oklahoma State Medical Association, Oklahoma County Medical Association, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, the Arthroscopy Association of North America, the Mid-America Orthopaedic Association and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery.