Friday, November 2, 2007

Senior Golf Injuries Are Common

Senior golf does have advantages and some disadvantages. The most common disadvantage is the injury rate. Seniors over fifty have more of a chance of injury than a golfer who is younger. To understand and treat your injury is important. Preventing an injury is even more important. Sometimes no matter how careful you are, you can sustain an injury. The most common injury is tendonitis of the wrist as well as the hamate fracture. Back and ankle injuries are also seen with senior golfers. Prevention is the key to a successful season of golf.

Sometimes preventing the hamate fracture condition is not easy. The symptoms of a hamate fracture are pain around the wrist area and the heel of the hand. You might also have no feeling in your fingers, mostly the little finger. For the most part, an x-ray will not reveal the fracture, but a MRI will show the hamate fracture. As you may know already, the MRI is very expensive. Early detection is crucial for a senior golfer. If it is left untreated, it will hinder your performance on the course and cause more pain than you can tolerate.

If you think you have a hamate fracture, you should see a doctor for treatment. The treatment is a simple process where the hook is removed and the wrist is then able to have blood flow to it again. The surgery works better than just simple immobilizing the wrist. It could take weeks to recover when and the golfer will need to refrain from golf.

You can prevent a wrist problem by changing the way you grip and hold your club. A different club design and style may also prevent the wrist problem. If you have a tight hold on the golf club, you are more prone to a hamate fracture. Adjust your grip will help prevent a hamate fracture and prevent tendonitis as well. Senior golf does also affect your overall body. Staying fit will help prevent injuries and allow you to keep with the game.

Some senior golf players experience back pain. This is common if you put your entire body into the swing. Some golfers will wear a back brace to keep the back straighter when completing the swing. They make braces that are more comfortable than the old styled braces that were bulky and stiff. Another complaint is ankle injuries. As you swing, you are not only twisting the back, but also the ankle. This can cause a sprain, which will hurt more so than if you would break your ankle and may take longer to heal.

Senior golf pros are just as prone to injury as the seasoned players. If you keep your body limber, take precautions with your grip, swing, and follow through, you can prevent injury. Use the right equipment as well. You can enjoy playing senior golf up to any age as long as you adjust your game as you age. Preventing back, wrist and ankle injuries are important so you can keep playing the game.

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