Shoulder Injury

[fratorriv]

Played yesterday and shot 94. Good drives and solid short game. However my middle irons were all punch shots due to a recent -rotator cuff injury left shoulder- I'm in therapy (pain factory) and getting stronger. I can't keep my left arm straight ending with a bend at the elbow which is keeping me from hitting down at the ball. (Perhaps fear) For all you pros out there, have you come across this sport injury before? Are there any sport specialized exercises that you can recommend? My therapist is not a sport expert and I need my left shoulder and arm to extend fully. My goal this year was to shoot in the mid 80's and this has put a hold on that. I'm determined and pain is not going to stop me from pushing myself. Still practicing everyday and playing twice a week. Please advise.

Kindly, Frank.

[gord962]

Re: Shoulder Injury

I dislocated my shoulder over the winter (while playing hockey) but I have not noticed any significant set backs (a bit of fatigue by the end of the round is all) in my golf game. I am definitely not as accurate, but I think it has more to do with some modifications to my swing and equipment that I haven't mastered yet. Keep working with the physio therapist to get you back ont he road to recovery.

I have rotator cuff damage in both shoulders (more dumb sports injuries from my youth) that keep me from playing baseball and volleyball at a competative elvel (or anything that requires an overhand motion), but for some reason my golf game doesn't aggrevate those injuries. I guess I have the golf gods to thank for sparing me!!

[dannyra]

Re: Shoulder Injury

I dislocated my left shoulder several years ago. For about 2 years after that I'd always have a loud pop in my shoulder at the top of my backswing. Talk about throwing your rythm off.

Finally got some therapy after it started bothering me while I was working. Fixed it right up.

Your therapist should understand the movement involved in a golf swing even if he/she isn't a sports therapist. You may have to explain how you swing but they should understand the biomechanics.

-Dan

[TeachingPro]

Re: Shoulder Injury

I've studied basic sports physio on courses and stuff but I've always regarded that knowledge more as background than to give physio advice. What I do give advice on is this: don't f*$@ around with your body - if's broke get it fixed. You don't want to sit with on going injuries or compensate through injury and then have that cause additional golf or physical problems.

Seek the advice (I'm not saying change physio's) from a sports specialist and get very specific advice on recovery and then go back to physio and rehab armed with that info.

[fratorriv]

Re: Shoulder Injury

Thanks to all! I split in two the round cartilage that keeps the ball in the socket. Dr. is talking surgery but only if my muscles don't want to strengthen. I'm exercising like crazy since I don't want permanent pins inside of my shoulder. I'm suppose to get 95% of my movement back even with the broken cartilage (which according to the docs it can stay broken the rest of my life and it will not break any further). Muscles are doing great and I expect 95% recovery. My baseball and volleyball days are over and all I have left is the game of golf which I took up a few years back.

I'll talk to the doc about the golf swing to see how we can strengthen the necessary muscles. Thanks for all the advice. Frank