Despite what many may say, golf is a physically demanding sport that can take its toll on the body. The necessary strain created on the torso, shoulders, hands, arms, and lower body in generating clubhead speeds of between 90 and 120 mph is enormous. Over time, with even the smoothest of golf swings, injury will occur. Many amateurs may see that time come sooner because of poor golf swing technique. Fortunately, most swing errors and shoulder injuries can be corrected.
In a study in the American Journal of Sports Medicine, physicians at the Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, both located in Boston, provided a report on golf-related shoulder injuries, their causes and prevention.
The study found that the shoulder is one of the most commonly injured areas for golfers. The lead shoulder, or the left shoulder in the right-handed golfer, is particularly vulnerable to injury. The lead shoulder endures more stretching and strain, particularly in an unsound golf swing, than virtually any other area, the lower back being its only rival. The amount of strain on the shoulder makes it necessary for the golfer to understand the biomechanics of his or her swing. That same understanding is also as much of a necessity in accurately diagnosing and managing the injury.
Common shoulder problems affecting golfers include subacromial impingement, acromioclavicular arthrosis, rotator cuff tear, glenohumeral instability, and glenohumeral arthrosis. The good news for golfers is that the majority of patients with these disorders will respond to non-surgical treatment, including rest and a structured program of physical therapy. Future injuries can be lessened or prevented with modifications of the golf swing. The extent of modification required to help prevent injury will likely be minor. Those golfers who fail to respond to non-surgical management and golf swing alterations can often return to competitive play with appropriate surgical treatment and an adequate recuperation period. Suddenly, professional instruction becomes much more important.
