Any Doctors or hand injury specialists???? Need your help

[quine]

So I’m a sixty year old , former scratch golfer who still wants to play good golf. An mri and x rays show a deep cyst and arthritic changes in my hand particularly in my left wrist. I am a right handed golfer. Every so often I will hit a hard snap hook ( always been my nemesis) and I literally get a two part snapping feeling in my lead wrist. For those who have played with a bad wrist it really limits your confidence in going after the ball. If I hit cut off fades and limit the release I never get this snap in my hands . But it’s frustrating because at times the golf course begs you to hit that draw turning your hands over ever so slightly but hard for me to do with the fear of that snap in hands. Two surgeons say that surgery really not an option as cyst is sub chondular and operation not guaranteed to improve situation with risks outweighing possible benefits . Probably hitting ball 15 yards shorter then in the past and my wife who plays well is gaining ground. Anyone ever experience this or advice is appreciated.

[skraly]

If neither of the two surgeons you saw were hand specialists that should be your next step. Probably not that wise to solicit advice from some golfers over that of your doctors.

[BrandonDunes]

Either physical therapy or surgery. Since surgery is out then find a physical therapist that specializes in hand therapy.

[Krt22]

If my wife could drive the same distance as me, I'd sell the clubs and take up bowling or tennis

[quine]

FYI , both surgeons were hand specialists . And to the less then helpful ket22, my wife plays to a two index , at one time I was a plus 2 index , and not too proud to be outdriven by anyone, male or female .

[Krt22]

Well if it makes it any better, if your wife outdrove me I too would sell my clubs and take up bowling

 

With that being said, it sounds like you have two options. 1) Deal with/mitigate the pain. Try athletic tape, KT tape, CBD, IB profen, etc. 2) Give up the draw and play around the pain. Tons of guys on tour get away with shaping the ball left to right exclusively

[quine]

That advice is what I’m looking for but i already tape (kt) then brace (Push wrist brace) using cbd oil and thc , cbd cream ( no longer Olympic eligible) and yeah going left to right is at least keeping me on the course. Curious if anyone has had this sort of injury still ...

[Warrior42111]

I agree with the others who mentioned seeing a PT. With my past injuries, the orthopedist always sent me to a PT to see if treatment that way would help first. Also, if you go that route do everything they say i.e doing the exercises at home on non appointment days. My little sister is a PT and it is the one thing that drives them up a wall is the person who thinks two hours a week will magically fix everything.

[Hawkeye77]

> @quine said:

> FYI , both surgeons were hand specialists . And to the less then helpful ket22, my wife plays to a two index , at one time I was a plus 2 index , and not too proud to be outdriven by anyone, male or female .

 

Do you think your two hand specialists are 30 handicappers at medicine? Seriously.

 

(Nothing against any golfer with any particular handicap! Just a frame of reference.)

[Krt22]

> @Warrior42111 said:

> I agree with the others who mentioned seeing a PT. With my past injuries, the orthopedist always sent me to a PT to see if treatment that way would help first. Also, if you go that route do everything they say i.e doing the exercises at home on non appointment days. My little sister is a PT and it is the one thing that drives them up a wall is the person who thinks two hours a week will magically fix everything.

 

How do you think golf instructors feel about students who think the flaws they have had for years will be solved with a 45 minute lesson and 2 large buckets of balls

[Barfolomew]

Feel for ya buddy I'm in a similar boat.... bad left wrist and play par golf and want to get better too for tourneys etc... Mine hurts on pinky side of wrist....arthritis. It does make you apprehensive to go after certain shots and might cause hitting it thin as don't wanna hit ground.... That's why I prefer to hit driver without ground contact at the range and course.

 

Warm that sucker up good with stretches and warmth just rubbing other hand on it.... Bought a miniature football squeeze toy from evil Amazon to work before playin. I'm learning how very little I can practice at range and still improve......It helps a lot. Haven't been beaten by a lady yet but would love to be lol...

[quine]

Help me understand “, do you think your two hand specialists are 30 handicaps at medicine? “ They are saying surgery is not a good option but I’m trying to find ways to play good golf .... seriously !

[BrandonDunes]

Have you seen a Physical Therapist?

 

Band aids like KT tape, CBD products, Advil are good options for short term. But, there are not changing anything structurally or mechanically. If those don't work or the pain persists then message or seeing a PT are the next options. Then if PT doesn't help then surgery is the last resort.

[dpb5031]

Strengthen your left hand grip and try "the feeling" of hitting the ball with your right shoulder. Keep your rotation going through the swing.

 

I'm guessing you have an active release. Switching to a more passive release with a stronger grip and more aggressive rotation may help. Might be worth a try...

[quine]

I’ll definitely spend some range time with those suggestions . So I always have had an active release . Much appreciated . And you are right, that hurting hook comes, I believe, when my body rotation stops , sometimes out of impact fear, and the hands flip . Stricker like swing ??? Seems passive ???

[dpb5031]

> @quine said:

> I’ll definitely spend some range time with those suggestions . So I always have had an active release . Much appreciated . And you are right, that hurting hook comes, I believe, when my body rotation stops , sometimes out of impact fear, and the hands flip . Stricker like swing ??? Seems passive ???

 

Yes!

[Philomathesq]

@quine, sorry to hear about your issues. Let me preface my response with this disclaimer: I am not a medical doctor. However, I've had many hand surgeries as a result of a run in with an IED about 15 years ago. I'm the type of person that researches everything (too much, my wife would likely say), so I've probably done more research on hand surgeries than any non-surgeon. My current legal practice also consists, almost entirely, of representing medical doctors, which has also helped me form my opinions regarding hand surgeries. Now, with that out of the way...

 

While I'm not yet 40, I also have arthritis in my hand/wrist joint and have developed subchondral cysts. Each time, surgeons have drained the cysts, which helps greatly. Unfortunately, subchondral cysts are simply a symptom of an underlying condition (in my case, and likely yours, arthritis). I would at least ask your surgeon if draining the cyst is an option, as it can provide immediate relief. If not, steroidal injections can help reduce the cyst and may also be an option.

 

The other thing to consider is seeing a plastic surgeon. I've had more than five hand operations. The first operation I had was in the field, so I don't count that one. However, the next two were performed by orthopedic hand surgeons, and each of those surgeries were suboptimal. The rest of my hand surgeries have been performed by plastic surgeons who specialized in hands, and each of those surgeries resulted in much better outcomes.

 

As for what you can do now, I have found that, as suggested above, switching to a stronger grip helps reduce pain. I've also switched to JumboMax Ultralite grips and have found those to help quite a bit, as well; they take a bit of time to get acquainted with, but the larger grip makes it much easier to hold the club, especially on "bad" days when my wrist and hand are acting up. I have also switched to a baseball/10-finger grip, and that has helped tremendously (this was actually my first change, and it resulted in the most immediate reduction in pain).

[quine]

Thank you so much for your opinions and personal experiences . I really appreciate it. One of the hand specialists I saw was a plastic surgeon . He also is the national team doctor for rock climbing so he is well versed in hand injuries . I have not had a cortisone shot yet so I will schedule an appointment with him. Really appreciate your post and best of luck with your golf and maintenance plan !!!

[GolfSPT42]

> @quine said:

> So I’m a sixty year old , former scratch golfer who still wants to play good golf. An mri and x rays show a deep cyst and arthritic changes in my hand particularly in my left wrist. I am a right handed golfer. Every so often I will hit a hard snap hook ( always been my nemesis) and I literally get a two part snapping feeling in my lead wrist. For those who have played with a bad wrist it really limits your confidence in going after the ball. If I hit cut off fades and limit the release I never get this snap in my hands . But it’s frustrating because at times the golf course begs you to hit that draw turning your hands over ever so slightly but hard for me to do with the fear of that snap in hands. Two surgeons say that surgery really not an option as cyst is sub chondular and operation not guaranteed to improve situation with risks outweighing possible benefits . Probably hitting ball 15 yards shorter then in the past and my wife who plays well is gaining ground. Anyone ever experience this or advice is appreciated.

 

I’m a Physical Therapist but not a hand specialist. Can’t really tell you much about what to do with your wrist just from your description but I can tell you that you would likely benefit from some treatment. We are all trained on hands and wrists but it is not something that most of us see on a regular basis. I would find a PT or OT that is a certified hand specialist, you will likely have better results.

[quine]

Thanks for the advice . Looking like therapy is a more viable option then surgery so I will try to find someone who specializes in the hand. You are right, I’ve seen a few therapists but can tell that the hand is more a specialty niche , great advice, thanks

[BirdieDoc]

PT is your friend here. Where is the cyst? Wrist doesn't tell me much... Is it in one of the carpal bones or ccp joint of the thumb?

[rangersgoalie]

Quine,

I dealt with a miserable right wrist injury years ago when I was playing. I had access to great doctors that were hand specialists from Centinela in LA to New York, Alabama and Vancouver trying to find a solution.

The leading hand specialist I saw couldn’t find anything other than chronic tendinitis

 

After 7 doctors and 2+ years not playing, john Cook recommended the doctor who fixed him after 5 years of struggling. He figured the problem and surgically repaired it.

 

I had basically given up but somehow kept persisting until the right doctor got presented to me

[quine]

Thanks for the advice, the cyst is in the carpal bones but apparently arthritis throughout. Interestingly when they xrayed the other (right wrist) for contrast it to looked full of arthritis etc and in drs mind worse . But it doesn’t bother me. I’ve been an athlete all my life, lots of injuries through hockey etc and was a physical educator . Just sucks to have joints show age even though I feel like a young (ish) 60 yr old. I think I will keep searching for answers though . That story gives some hope

[larrybud]

> @quine said:

> Help me understand “, do you think your two hand specialists are 30 handicaps at medicine? “ They are saying surgery is not a good option but I’m trying to find ways to play good golf .... seriously !

 

He's saying **_someone_** had to graduate at the bottom of their class!

 

[rangersgoalie]

> @quine said:

> Thanks for the advice, the cyst is in the carpal bones but apparently arthritis throughout. Interestingly when they xrayed the other (right wrist) for contrast it to looked full of arthritis etc and in drs mind worse . But it doesn’t bother me. I’ve been an athlete all my life, lots of injuries through hockey etc and was a physical educator . Just sucks to have joints show age even though I feel like a young (ish) 60 yr old. I think I will keep searching for answers though . That story gives some hope

 

 

One more thing. In my situation, (not saying it’s for all), I never got an accurate answer until I had an MRI with contrast. That doctor wa surprised I hadn’t had one already, telling me as small as everything is in the hands/wrists, the contrast was a huge help in finding my damage.

This was late 1989 sobim sure things have changed a lot, but just some experience

 

[2bGood]

I feel your pain. Literally. Have just developed similar issue, felt the pop when hitting a nice draw. Made the bridie but could no longer rotate my left wrist after that. Meeting a specialist soon. If I learn anything interesting I will let you know.

[farmer]

PM Ranger and go see his guy.

[BirdieDoc]

> @rangersgoalie said:

> > @quine said:

> > Thanks for the advice, the cyst is in the carpal bones but apparently arthritis throughout. Interestingly when they xrayed the other (right wrist) for contrast it to looked full of arthritis etc and in drs mind worse . But it doesn’t bother me. I’ve been an athlete all my life, lots of injuries through hockey etc and was a physical educator . Just sucks to have joints show age even though I feel like a young (ish) 60 yr old. I think I will keep searching for answers though . That story gives some hope

>

>

> One more thing. In my situation, (not saying it’s for all), I never got an accurate answer until I had an MRI with contrast. That doctor wa surprised I hadn’t had one already, telling me as small as everything is in the hands/wrists, the contrast was a huge help in finding my damage.

> This was late 1989 sobim sure things have changed a lot, but just some experience

>

 

MRIs have changed considerably with the resolution and strength of magnets. The contrast I'm assuming you mean arthrogram where it is in the joint space or IV?

[rangersgoalie]

Believe arthorogram. Had one on my shoulder recently and similar procedure

Was not IV. Thanks

[Kevinnz]

Acupuncture is perfect for your condition. The needle can get inbtn the joint space close to the cyst, to promote an initial pro inflammation, so the body (immune system) signalled and is able to absorb the cyst. Needles are also able to fight inflammation (anti), great for some mild to moderate arthritic changes.

Follow up the acupuncture with rehab, ie. stretching (extention, flexion ulnar and radial deviation) and forearm strenghening.

This will dramatically improve your condition and you can enjoy playing some draws when needed.