Elbow, Forearm and Wrist - Essay Example

Elbow, Forearm and Wrist Author’s Name: Instructor’s Name: Course Details: Institutional Affiliation: Date of Submission: Introduction Golf is a recreational activity undertaken in various parts of the world. The execution of a swing is a complex movement that entails the use of many muscles in the body. The muscles used range from those in the upper limbs, the trunk and the lower limbs. Movement of muscles is aimed at developing momentum. Propelling of the golf ball to the desired target is facilitated by provision of momentum. To achieve momentum, an effective swing requires coordination of muscles to generate enough power to hit the ball. However, the sport is dogged by numerous challenges with the most common being injuries sustained to the muscles and tendons. Injury to muscles and tendons reduces the efficacy of a player in generating a perfect swing. Medial epicondylitis is the most common injury sustained by golf players. Occurrence of medial epicondylitis in golf players is enhanced by poor golf swings and over use of upper limb muscles. Medial epicondylitis results from increased stress and strain being exerted on the flexor and extensor muscles of the fore arm. This leads to inflammation and pain originating from the medial epicondyle. Medial epicondyle thus affects the swing since continued use of the muscles further worsens the pain and inflammation. The condition can be managed through the use of pharmacological, surgical and physiotherapy options. This paper aims at highlighting the clinical presentation of medial epicondilytis among the golf players. In addition, it seeks to highlight the various muscles used by the golf players and how the injury to the muscles is bound to affect their swing (Shiri et al. 2006, p. 1072). Medial epicondylitis is a condition that mainly affects sportsmen. Golf players are more predisposed to the occurrence of medial epicondilytis. Golfers are mainly affected by medial epicondylitis since the sport involves the use of flexor muscles within the forearm. Golfers perform swing motions and these subjects the writs to undergo repeated motions. During golfing, excessive strain and stress can be applied to the flexors. However, repetitive stress and strain that is exerted on muscles found within the fore arm results in medial epicondylitis. Medial epicondylitis is characterized by the inflammation and tenderness that originates from the inner elbow. The pain gradually spreads from the medial epicondyle towards the forearm. The pain makes the grasping of the golfer to become impaired. In addition, there is marked loss of strength when holding items. The predisposition to medial epicondilytis increases with advancement with age and frequency of play. The elderly tend to be more affected when compare to the young golfers. Golf players who spend more time playing are likely to be affected by the condition. This is because they tend to over use the fore arm muscles (Wadsworth 2007, p. 362). Anatomy Various muscles and tendons are used in golfing. The coordination of the muscles enables a golfer to achieve a perfect swing. The lower limb muscles push the golf swing downwards into the ground and upwards to drive the swing forwards. In the lower limbs, the quadriceps, hamstrings, gluteus and calve muscles are involved in golf swing. The core muscles facilitate the take back and forward swings. The main muscles involves are the oblique muscles. Oblique muscles promote backward coiling and forward uncoiling. The abdominal muscles allow for the internal rotation of the shoulder which creates the speed of the club head. Trunk muscles such as pectoral and latissimus dorci provide stability to the body during forward drive and backswing. Upper limb muscles provide coordination while undertaking the initial and final stages of the golf swing. Flexors, extensors, biceps, triceps and shoulder muscles provide stability to the club. In addition, they maintain the golf swing to become located within the swing path. The final phase of the swing entails the snapping of the wrist. This allows for the deceleration of the arm after coming in contact with eh ball. Based on the clinical presentation of peter, the muscles and tendons affected are those located in the upper limb. Peter has pain that originates from the medial epicondyle. In golfing, most muscles that are involved in the swing are attached to the medial epicondyle. However, over use of the muscles on the upper limb or execution of a poor swing is bound to cause damages on the medial epicondyle (Saliman, Beaulieu & McAdams 2006, p. 330). On the upper limb, muscles used in golfing are broadly categorized into flexors and extensors. The flexor muscles in the forearm are essential in facilitating good grip. Flexor muscles include the pollucis longus, digitorum profundus and digitorum superficialis. Flexor muscles allow for movements of the wrist joint. Most of the flexor muscles attach to the common flexor tendon on medial epicondyle. Medial epicondilytis affects forearm muscles and tendons with pain running from the medial epicondyles. Peter is able to swing the golf due to the activity of contracting and relaxation of muscles and tendons. The flexor tendons in the fore arm play a vital role in enabling peer achieve a perfect golf swing. The medial epicondyle is the main tendon that is used by peter when playing golf. The medial epicondyle is responsible for providing attachment for the wrist flexors. The most common tendon that attaches onto the medial epicondyle is the common flexor tendon. Tendons and collagen attach the muscles onto the bones. Movement of muscles results from one end of the tendon being pulled by bones and muscles on either side. Peter is able to exert good grip on the golf stick due to the contraction of the flexor muscles. Peter developed medial epicondylitis due to rigorous activity or over sue of the forearm and elbow muscles and tendons. The repetitive action of swinging the golf stick precipitated the straining of flexor tendons located within the elbow region ( (McHardy, Pollard & Luo 2007, p. 1354). Causes Golfing entails the repetition of activities over and over again. Medial epicondylitis develops as a result of players having a poor swing mechanics or over swinging. Players who practice the use of strong grip while making swings repeatedly are more prone to medial epicondilytis. In addition, too much involvement of the wrist in making the swings by the golfers leads to medial epicondylitis. The poor swing mechanics or over swinging makes the golfers to over use the tendons and muscles located within the fore arm. The repetitive use of these muscles makes then to become strained or stressed (Hume, Reid & Edwards 2006, p. 153). Clinical Presentation of Medial Epicondilytis Medial epicondilytis is characterized by the inflammation and pain originating from the medial epicondyle. Players with eh condition exhibit a limited range of motion on the affected limb. The gripping abilities of the player are also affected by the condition hence cannot execute a perfect swing (Parziale & Mallon 2006, p. 602). Making a Diagnosis of Medial Epicondilytis Diagnosis of medial epicondilytis is based on conducting a comprehensive clinical examination. In addition, physical examination of the muscles is essential. The physical examination will be aimed at establishing the strength of the forearm. The diagnosis of peters condition as medial epicondylitis is made after taking a comprehensive history of the peter. The clinical presentation and history of having engaged in golf facilitates the making of the diagnosis. Peter is reported to have pain originating from the medial epicondyle. The occurrence of the pain is supported by the activity which peter undertakes. Peter is reported to be a recreational golfer. Peter being a recreational golfer is no exception to having medial epicondilytis (Saliman, Beaulieu & McAdams 2006, p. 330). Management of Medial Epicondilytis Management of medial epicondilytis takes various forms. Medial epicondilytis can be managed by allowing the player to rest, taking anti-inflammatory medication, physiotherapy or undertaking surgery if the tendons are severely damaged (Wadsworth 2007, p. 362). Conclusion A swing is achieved by coordinating various muscles. The muscles involved include those in the lower limb, trunk and the upper limb. Injuries sustained due to the increasing stress and strain being applied to the muscles and tendons in the upper limb. Injuries limit the effectiveness of the swing due to the disruption of normal functioning of muscle. The medial epicondyle is most commonly affected by injury. Occurrence of medial epicondilytis is attributed to the fact that most muscles of the upper limb involved in a swing are attached to the medial epicondyle. Injury to the medial epicondyle occurs as a result of the golfer over using their muscles or practicing poor swing techniques. Medial epicondilytis is characterized by pain that originates from the inner elbow. The tenderness generated at the elbow region limits the range of motion of the affected golfer. This means that increased use of the affected limb further worsens the damage to the muscles. Peter is of no exception to this form of injury. Peter is reported to be having pains that originated from the medial epicondyle. Based on peter being a recreational golfer, he can be diagnosed with medial epicondilytis. Management of peters condition can be done through various ways which range from resting, use of medication, physiotherapy and surgery (Shiri et al. 2006, p. 1072). References Wadsworth, LT, 2007, When golf hurts: musculoskeletal problems common to golfers. Current Sports Medicical Report;6(6):362-5. Rineer, CA, Ruch, DS, 2009, Elbow tendinopathy and tendon ruptures: epicondilytis, biceps and triceps ruptures, Journal of Hand Surgery, America; 34(3):566-76. McHardy, A, Pollard, H, Luo, K, 2007, One-year follow-up study on golf injuries in Australian amateur golfers, American Journal of Sports Medicine; 35(8):1354-60. Hume, PA, Reid, D, Edwards, T, 2006, Epicondylar injury in sport: epidemiology, type, mechanisms, assessment, management and prevention, Sports Medicine; 36(2):151-70. Parziale, JR, Mallon, WJ, 2006, Golf injuries and rehabilitation, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitative Clinics of North America; 17(3):589-607. Saliman, JD, Beaulieu,CF, McAdams, TR, 2006, Ligament and tendon injury to the elbow: clinical, surgical, and imaging features, Top Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; 17(5):327-36. Shiri, R, Viikari-Juntura, E, Varonen, H, Heliövaara, M, 2006, Prevalence and determinants of lateral and medial epicondilytis: a population study, American Journal of Epidemiology; 164(11):1065-74. Read More