Can Golf Cause Trigger Finger? [Yes, but…]

• According to specialists, Trigger Finger can be caused by playing golf because of the repetitive motion required to grip and swing a golf club.
• A trigger finger is usually the result of gripping or using your finger/thumb too much, which strains the tendons. This causes pain and inflammation because the inflamed tendon prevents the finger from extending smoothly.
• Although arthritis is a common cause of finger pain, other conditions, such as tendonitis or a fracture, may also be to blame.
• To fix the problem, alter your golf grips and/or put on gloves.
• A Reddit user shared his experience with a similar injury, saying that he ignored doctors’ orders, and it made the situation worse.
• The user recommends to either give up golf until the triggering goes away or get surgery to fix it.
• If you think you may have trigger finger, it’s important to see a doctor as soon as possible so that you can get the proper treatment.

I have a friend who I play golf with occasionally. About a year ago, he started having problems with his left pinky finger. He would grip the club too tightly, and after playing for a few hours, his finger would start to hurt.

The pain and triggering would go away while he was playing golf, but it would always come back a few hours later. It got to the point where he had to take a couple of months off from golf to let his finger heal. It ended up taking him close to 7 months for the triggering to go away mostly. Even now, on cold mornings, his pinky still triggers.

I can only imagine how frustrating it must be for him. He loves playing golf, but the pain is just too much. It’s sad how something as simple as playing golf can cause such a big problem in someone’s life.

In terms of what worked for him, my friend began by wearing gloves properly when he played his game, which helped protect his hands from further injury.

He also took a break from playing golf to allow his body to rest and heal.

In addition, my friend iced his finger regularly and stretched his muscles before, during, and after his rounds.

Finally, my friend took various vitamins and supplements to help strengthen his tendons. Thanks to these measures, my friend was able to overcome his injury and continue playing golf without any problems.

So, what’s the deal with trigger finger and golf?

Yes, golf can cause a trigger finger. A trigger finger is an overuse injury that will affect the tendons in your fingers and make it challenging to bend those fingers back into their natural resting position.

When you move your fingers for a long time, the tendon will become irritated, swell up and eventually tear. It’s most common in people who play an extra-long game or those who never wear their gloves correctly.

In addition, golfers often bring their fingers to the club during their swing, which puts pressure on nerves that aren’t used to the repeated motion.

Causes of Trigger Finger in Golf

There are several different causes of trigger finger, they include:

1. Muscular-skeletal issues can be caused by repetitive motion, injury, or fibrosis and must be treated before they become chronic. Muscular-skeletal injuries like trigger fingers can cause inflammation in the tendon and lead to the tearing of the tendon.
2. Repetitive motion, injury, and damaged tendons can cause the trigger finger to develop. Repeated motions bend over your fingers, so they’re prone to injury, and if the nerves are irritated over time, it can lead to a trigger finger. In addition to causing injury, chronic inflammation of a trigger finger can lead to tendonitis. The inflammation leads your tendon to scar more than normal joints and eventually leads to tearing the tendon.
3. Injury to circulation can also trigger fingers because the blood flow to the finger is impaired. Without adequate blood flow, it becomes difficult for nutrients to reach the tissues they need to heal and repair, leading to poor healing of tendons and other tissues in the finger.
4. Lastly, fibrosis is a common cause in athletes developing trigger fingers. Fibrosis occurs when the bone in the joint thickens and restricts blood flow, causing extra pressure on nerves and tendons.

How to Prevent Trigger Finger in Golf

If you’re experiencing pain or swelling and you’re worried you’re suffering from a trigger finger, you must see a doctor as soon as possible to confirm your diagnosis and get a proper treatment plan.

It’s also essential to take the proper steps to prevent developing a trigger finger in the first place. Take the following steps to ensure that your fingers will stay healthy while you continue playing golf:

1. Wear suitable golf gloves

The most common cause of trigger fingers is golfers not wearing gloves properly when they play their game. Therefore, always wear gloves during your round. Gloves protect your hands while also allowing you to grip the club properly.

2. Take a break

Trigger fingers are common injuries amongst athletes, and you must take time off from playing golf to rest your body and allow your tendons to recover when they’re sore.

3. Stretch regularly

Always stretch before, during, and after your round to keep your muscles flexible and elongated.

4. Take care of your body

You must eat a healthy diet, drink enough water, and exercise regularly to promote overall health. If you’re worried about your weight, consult a doctor on proper nutrition.

5. Ice it

Ice is particularly effective in preventing injuries like trigger fingers because it helps reduce swelling by constricting blood flow from getting to the affected area.

6. Try massage therapy

Massaging your fingers regularly will help keep them flexible and prevent future trigger finger injuries from developing.

7. Take vitamins

Vitamins and supplements can help heal and strengthen your tendons- check out some natural supplementation options here.

8. Use elastic wraps or sleeves

If you’re worried about your fingers swelling up during your round, try wearing various elastic bandages around your hands to prevent the swelling from developing into a trigger finger injury.

Conclusion

Trigger fingers are familiar in people who play golf because of the time their tendons are under pressure. Take steps to prevent and treat a trigger finger to help keep your game going for a long time.

If you’re worried that you have a trigger finger, see a doctor as soon as possible to find out what treatments are available for you.