More and more people are playing golf. According to statistics from the Korea Golf Course Management Association, in 2020, there were 46.73 million guests, an increase of 5.03 million (12.1%) compared to 2019. An increase in the number of people who enjoy exercise is good for public health, but on the other hand, diseases related to exercise also increase. Golfer’s elbow is one of the most common complaints about golfers. If you start exercising for your health, you may end up harming your health if you overdo it.
The correct name for golf elbow is medial epicondylitis. Inflammation of the inner bones of both elbow joints and damage to the muscles and tendons. Even with a light load, repeated use is the biggest factor in causing symptoms. Due to the nature of golf, which is an exercise in which the same swing motion is repeated, the impact continues to accumulate on the elbow when hitting the ball. What’s more, if you accidentally hit the ground hard or practice in an environment where the mat is worn out, the impact will be greater and worsening the inflammation.
The pain usually occurs when you grab an object or squeeze a wet towel, and in severe cases, you may not be able to perform even very simple movements such as chopsticks, turning a doorknob, or shaking hands. When accompanied by ulnar nerve symptoms, a tingling sensation like an electric shock spreads to the tip of the finger, so it is necessary to differentiate it.
If you feel pain in the middle of playing golf, you should apply ice packs and massage and stop exercising. If the pain is severe, steroid injections are sometimes used, but there is a side effect of weakening muscles and tendons, so it should be managed well after consulting with a specialist. Playing golf again as soon as the pain is gone makes the disease worse. You must do stretching and strength training slowly in parallel to strengthen the muscles necessary for golf and return to exercise.
Konkuk University Hospital orthopedic surgery professor Oh Kyung-soo said, “Golf elbow is a disease that can be experienced not only by golfers, but also by housewives and those who use computers for a long time. treatment,” he said.
Also, Professor Oh Kyung-soo said, “If you start exercising again after the pain has gone away during the treatment, it almost recurs. Golfer’s elbow is a disease that requires long-term treatment.
