Knee Pain

The second most commonly injured joint for athletes is the knee. Golf can be tough on the knee, just ask Tiger. In working with the back swing, it is important to keep a slight flexion in the right knee as the weight is transferred there in the backswing. There are rotational forces affecting the knees, especially on the dominant leg, in the back swing. When the right knee extends on the back swing, all sorts of swing plane and back problems can arise.

The knee is the joint that is created between the femur or thigh bone and the tibia or shin bone. These bones have two cartilage discs (meniscus) that separate them, one inside and one outside. There are four major ligaments, 2 collateral and 2 cruciate. You have probably heard of the famous ACL (anterior cruciate ligament). This is the ligament that, when damaged, can end the careers of basketball and football players. Generally the most common knee injury for golfers is tearing the medial meniscus. Golfers usually get knee problems in the patella or kneecap. This problem is often caused by excessive pronation, exaggerated by walking and rotation of the legs during the swing.

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If your knee is swelling from an injury, then put ice on it to shrink the swelling. A knee brace is also good if you want temporary relief while playing, but do not wear the brace as a preventative measure. It will throw off the balance between the ankle, knee, and hip and could cause problems for the ankle or hip. An orthotic is an excellent way to stabilize the knee. The symptoms may improve with rest. Chronic knee pain can also be helped with glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate if arthritis is involved. Getting your posture corrected with chiropractic, rolfing, or postural exercises will go a long way towards lining up your pelvis, hip, knee, ankle, and foot so that the structure supporting your body is stable.

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