Understanding Golfer’s Wrist: A Comprehensive Guide
Golfer’s wrist is one of the most common golf injuries an amateur can experience on the course.
Essentially, a golfer’s wrist refers to wrist tendinitis from hitting the golf ball, typically with a steep swing path that forces the face deep into the dirt.
The shock of creating deeper divots over and over again can cause pain throughout the trailing arm, but especially on the wrist.
In our article on the causes of golfer’s wrist and how you should treat it, we’ll outline why golfers suffer from a sprained wrist and how to adjust your swing technique to play golf pain-free moving forward.
Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1
Introduction to Golfer’s Wrist
Golfer’s wrist is one of the most common injuries in golf, a condition that causes tendinitis of the extensor carpi ulnaris tendon.
This painful condition frequently affects both professional and amateur golfers who spend hours hitting balls.
Centralized pain is one of the most common symptoms of golfer’s wrist, but it’s not always a cause for panic if addressed promptly.
Golfer’s wrist develops gradually through repetitive motion during various physical activities, mainly while hitting the golf ball on full swings.
The wrist joint is heavily involved in golf swings and is subject to high force, especially during impact with the golf club hitting the ball or ground.
The complex movement patterns required in a swing put significant stress on the wrists, making these injuries among the most common golf-specific injuries.
CHAPTER 2
Causes and Prevention of Golfer’s Wrist
Overuse injuries like golfer’s wrist often stem from poor form and improper swing technique.
High-powered drives can significantly increase the risk of injury to the wrist muscles and tendons, especially when performed repeatedly without adequate rest.
Taking preventive measures can help avoid developing golfer’s wrist. Being proactive with wrist preparation before starting your golf game is essential for reducing the chances of developing a repetitive stress injury.
This includes using the right equipment, particularly a golf club that fits your hand size and strength.
Many professional golfers work with a coach to ensure they use proper equipment and maintain correct grip strength throughout their swing.
Muscles located along the abdomen play a critical role in a stable golf swing. Strengthening these muscles can reduce the strain placed on your wrists.
Additionally, focusing on the starting position and maintaining consistent movement patterns throughout your swing can significantly reduce wrist problems.
CHAPTER 3
Identifying Symptoms of Golfer’s Wrist
Recognizing the symptoms of golfer’s wrist early can lead to faster treatment and complete healing. Persistent pain on the pinky or ulnar side of the wrist is often the first sign.
This pain may worsen during wrist flexion or extension, mainly when the palm facing changes during the swing. Some golfers experience pain radiating from the wrist to the ring fingers or even toward the thumb side of the hand.
A decrease in grip strength is another common symptom, making it difficult to hold the club handle firmly. Range of motion in the affected wrist may become limited, with certain movements causing pain.
In more severe cases, swelling might be visible on the palm side of the wrist, particularly after playing golf.
CHAPTER 4
Treatment Options for Golfer’s Wrist
Physical therapy is a primary treatment for golfer’s wrist. A physical therapist will offer specialized exercises to strengthen the wrist and reduce stress on the affected tendons.
Manual therapy techniques may be used to reduce pain and improve exercise tolerance, allowing for a healthy return to the links.
For mild cases, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help manage inflammation and minimize pain. A doctor might recommend a steroid injection to decrease inflammation in more persistent cases.
Anti-inflammatory medications should be used under medical supervision as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.
A proper diagnosis is crucial before beginning treatment.
This may involve a physical examination, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or a CT scan to rule out other injuries, such as a hamate fracture or damage to the hamate bone, which requires different treatment options.
In some cases, especially where the left hand (for right-handed golfers) is affected, a sports medicine specialist might need to be consulted.
Rest is necessary for complete healing, but some braces and splints can allow for limited wrist movement while protecting the injured area.
These supportive devices prevent irritation of the wrist injury while still allowing for some activity during the recovery period.
CHAPTER 5
Managing and Preventing Golf Injuries
Warming up and stretching before golfing can significantly help prevent various injuries, including wrist sprains and golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis).
Gradually increasing the length and intensity of play can help avoid overuse injuries that develop when tissues don’t have time to adapt to new stresses.
Strengthening the upper body and core muscles improves swing mechanics and reduces the strain on smaller joints like the wrist.
Instruction with a golf professional can help correct hand position and grip to focus on a safer technique that minimizes stress on the wrists.
CHAPTER 6
Improving Your Golf Swing to Reduce Wrist Strain
Using a neutral wrist grip can help avoid putting unnecessary strain on your wrist during your golf swing.
Developing a more shallow approach to the ball can also reduce the size of divots taken by your golf club. This shallower path to the golf ball won’t dig the club into the ground but rather sweep the ball off the turf.
CHAPTER 7
Seeking Professional Help for Golf Injuries
If symptoms persist for several weeks despite home treatment, it’s important to visit a doctor for a thorough evaluation. They may order X-rays to rule out fractures or other conditions with similar symptoms.
In some cases, a hospital specializing in special surgery for hand and wrist problems may be required for proper treatment.
CHAPTER 8
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you treat a golfer’s wrist?
Treatment for golfer’s wrist (usually tendinitis) includes rest, ice for 15 to 20 minutes several times daily, compression with a wrist brace, medications like ibuprofen for pain and inflammation, and physical therapy exercises.
Technique modifications in your golf swing can prevent recurrence on the pinky side of your hand.
How long does a golfer’s wrist take to heal?
Golfer’s wrist typically takes 2 to 6 weeks to heal with proper rest and treatment. Minor cases may improve within days with rest, while typical cases require 2 to 3 weeks.
Severe wrist pain can take more than 6 weeks and might need professional intervention. Continuing to play during recovery can significantly extend healing time.
What are the symptoms of golfer’s wrist?
Symptoms include pain or tenderness along the inside of the wrist, weakness in grip strength, and sharp pain that worsens with hand movement, especially during the golf swing.
You may feel a dull ache when resting and sharp pain during activity.
How to fix ulnar wrist pain?
To fix ulnar wrist pain, rest the affected wrist, apply ice for 15 to 20 minutes several times daily, take anti-inflammatory medications, and wear a wrist brace for support.
Perform gentle stretching and strengthening exercises once the pain lessens.