Not playing? You can still get golfer’s elbow

CHANDIGARH: Tanya, a city-based housewife, who had never played any sport in her life, was recently diagnosed with golfer’s elbow. It was then found that domestic chores were the prime reason for this muscle injury. Runner’s knee, golfer’s elbow, writer’s elbow and tennis elbow -- which were once only seen in sportspersons or writers are now more prevalent amongst those who are not into sports. City-based doctors have of late been seeing more such cases among housewives, computer professionals, gardeners, plumbers and painters.Dr Sudhir Garg, head of the orthopaedic department at the government medical college and hospital, Sector 32 said, “Muscles tend to wear down when the same action is performed repetitively. We get four-five patients daily and most of them are housewives. One may not be a tennis player to get this minor injury. It has been seen mostly in women who get the problem while cooking, washing clothes or carrying groceries.”Earlier these muscle/tendon injuries were mainly seen in players or athletes as the medical names indicate. It is possible that other people too suffered from these injuries but not as many came forward for treatment. “Repetitive stress of a particular group of muscles leads to micro-tear of tendons/muscles. Also those who spend long hours working on the computer also have a tennis elbow,” said Dr Garg.The origin of these muscle pains -- were once associated only with sportspersons -- are the muscles which are attached to the edge of the bones. “These muscles are strong and are at the edge of the bones. If they are exposed to greater pressure than their endurance or fatigue point, it results in golfer’s, tennis and writer’s elbow or runner’s knee,” said Dr R K Kanojia from the department of orthopaedics at PGI.Much like golfer’s elbow, Ravi Jindal who is working with a private company, had been suffering with stiffness of the elbow. “I have started painting a lot over the past few months. The doctors have reasoned this as the cause for golfer’s elbow. I don’t even know how to play golf,” he said.It is not only golf or tennis which results in these muscle tears. Other sports like baseball, rowing, swimming and weightlifting can also put you at risk of muscle tear.