A nagging injury we find in the PGA Performance Center on the PGA Tour is lead arm extensor tendinitis. If the PGA golfer hasn’t experienced the symptoms by the time the US Open rolls around the probability is high that it will show up at that event. The season is long and June is a critical month. The challenge of the US Open and the forthcoming grind for the FedEx Cup in July and August will bring out any bodily weaknesses.
This particular injury can be from a one time trauma (high rough, hitting a tree root) but usually is strictly overuse. Although the extensors tendons (on the back side of your forearm) and their insertion into the lateral epicondyle are the primary tissues of concern, the golfer and clinician must be aware of ligament and joint involvement. The annular ligament provides support for the radial head (bony prominence near the outside of the elbow) and can be a significant source of pain with the stresses placed on the lead forearm. The radial humeral joint can also be subject to subluxation and be a primary problem or a secondary consequence of weakened supportive ligaments and muscles.
Treatment should consist of manual soft tissue procedures for the extensor tendons, ice, extensor tendon strengthening, flexor tendon stretching and rest if possible. Concurrently it would expedite recovery duration if attention were also given to radial humeral mobilization and annular ligament activation. In chronic cases it would be reasonable to consider PRP and stem cell injections. Sounds like a lot for a simple tendinitis but at this stage of the season there isn’t much time for recovery.
As with any sport, time is money.
