[lalffibra]

No subforum for golf injuries, so I guess this goes here?

My left forearm - on top, the side a watch face would go, facing outward if my arm is flat at my side - has been sore for weeks, weak, and I get sharp pains from it up near the elbow when trying to lift things or swing a golf club. I played Saturday, thinking it had healed, but could barely hold clubs and swing with it. I've tried Googling for it but most stuff comes back with weightlifting injuries to the bottom of the forearm, not the top. I know if it is just a strain or tendonitis that there's nothing worth going to a Dr for if all they are going to do is tell me to rest it and do some excercises (and charge me a bunch of money). Anyone run into this with golfing and have some advice besides R.I.C.E.?

[scoussysows]

I second all of the above. Consider a referral for physical therapy. They will likely not only treat the injury, but teach you how to prevent it from happening again.

+1 -- physical therapy sometimes doesn't get the credit it deserves. I love my ibuprofen, but physical therapy exercises have almost eliminated knee and back pain for me.

[kenowinnumberss]

I've had the exact same thing affect me a few times in the past. Comes from a variety of things including a lot of golf. Mine was a mixed bag of golf and the use of the weed-eater and leaf blower in the summer months. Two ways you can go about it to help and correct the problem. Massage the area that hurts for several minutes pretty aggresively (per my wife she is a physcial therapist) a few times a day, wear a arm strap directly over the area that hurts designed for tennis elbow along with ibuprofen or stop all activities involving the affected limb for a few months. I opted for the first option, helped immediately.

[kenowinnumberss]

Good deal Penglynns. It doesn't hurt to throw down an ibuprofen, aleve or any anti-inflammatory before a round either. Use those techniques and you will be back to normal in a few weeks.

[scoussysows]

What other exercises do you do? Last year I had simliar problem, and traced it to straining too much while doing free-weight curls (I was straining to grip the curl bar, which hurt the forearm, and to lesser extent the wrist). I stopped the curls for a few weeks, and the forearm was fine (I'd rather play golf than have the chiseled guns!).

I'm no MD, but I've been prescribed week-long ibuprofen regimen on many occasions that has always helped muscle strains. I have always found it worth while to pay the MD for the first diagnosis. After that, I buy OTC ibuprofen instead of the higher dose prescription ibuprofen, and just match the grams.

[lalffibra]

I've had the exact same thing affect me a few times in the past. Comes from a variety of things including a lot of golf. Mine was a mixed bag of golf and the use of the weed-eater and leaf blower in the summer months. Two ways you can go about it to help and correct the problem. Massage the area that hurts for several minutes pretty aggresively (per my wife she is a physcial therapist) a few times a day, wear a arm strap directly over the area that hurts designed for tennis elbow along with ibuprofen or stop all activities involving the affected limb for a few months. I opted for the first option, helped immediately.

This is the route I'm going with for now. I think it is Tennis Elbow, probably mostly brought on by the day job sitting at a computer and typing a lot (I haven't picked up a tennis racket in 12 years). I got a tennis elbow support wrap last night and it seems to help. Doing the massage, Aspercream, brace, and rest when I can. Hopefully I'll be back out on the course next weekend. If it doesn't improve I'll go to the Doctor. (I'm no stranger to PT - had plenty of it for knee and shoulder injuries over the last five years, but I would much rather avoid the time and money it would cost if at all possible right now.)

Thanks everyone for the help.

[sanddrareyk]

What you probably have is strain in both you felxor and abductor muscles. If you want to power through the pain i would suggest a little extra time spent here during your stretching. One thing you can do on your way to the course is to use a stress ball to loosen up all the forearm muscles. Once your ready to go play, place the fingers of your left hand in the palm of your right and bend the left hand back slowly do this for about 10 seconds 3 or 4 times, then bend the left hand forward and push on the back of the left hand with your right, again for 10 seconds 3 to 4 times. This will loosen up the forearm area. A couple advil or aleve 1/2 hour before the round wouldn't hurt either.

[Cyncceply]

Been there (very recently actually) and it sounds like tennis elbow / tendinitis. I did heat (only), stretching and Advils, BUT!!!! You should have it diagnosed to be sure. The wrong treatment can make things worse.

I second all of the above. Consider a referral for physical therapy. They will likely not only treat the injury, but teach you how to prevent it from happening again.

[prpaims]

I should have included them:

Frist one is the hold your arm out straight in front of you (elbow locked) with your palm facing up. With your other hand, grab the fingers and pull down (slightly) until you feel a stretch.

Turn your palm over (facing down) and repeat the process but instead pulling your down on the back of your hand toward your wrist.

[prpaims]

Been there (very recently actually) and it sounds like tennis elbow / tendinitis. I did heat (only), stretching and Advils, BUT!!!! You should have it diagnosed to be sure. The wrong treatment can make things worse.