My golf clubs want to be swung!

June 1, 2012 11:00 PM

Recently diagnosed with Costochondritis. How long does it take to heal? What can I do in the mean time? My golf clubs are lonely!

I recently started going to the golf range and self-teaching myself with some Ben Hogan. For a week or two (every weekend) I used his swing mechanics. Lots of torso-hip torque and all. It looks simple, but in reality it was quite an adjustment.

Sadly I probably went too full bore too quickly and have had this costochondritis on my left chest side for a bit now. Sleeping on my left side, various left shoulder/chest movements, hardy laughing, sneezes, coughs are all terrible. Laughing and sneezes are the worst!
I was told to take anti-inflammatory which I started the other day. My doctor also mentioned it may take... 4-8 weeks to heal. Is that realistic?

I know doing the golf... anything intensive on the torso and shoulders is out (weights, etc.). Currently the only activity I still do is a 30 min run on my exercise bike, which isn't discomforting. Sure, I'll still take a club in hand and do some practice in posture and grip... but... I really was looking forward to whacking some balls...

So what are mefiers experience with the healing time? And what can I do to as an activity in the mean time?

posted by Bodrik to Health & Fitness (9 answers total)

My fiancee dealt with Costochondritis a year or so ago, and unfortunately the 4-8 weeks sounds about right. She was starting to feel much better after about 4, and probably only fully "cured" after 8-10 weeks. She kept her activity to a minimum, but there was really no helping the fact that all sorts of things caused the pain.

Just one point of anecdata, but unfortunately it agrees with your doc.
posted by Rallon at 5:47 AM on June 2, 2012

It took me a couple of months too.
posted by misspony at 5:58 AM on June 2, 2012

Mine comes and goes - it flares up for ~6-8 weeks and quiets down again but it's recurred multiple times for years and I've never managed to figure out how to prevent it from doing so. At this point I just assume I'm going to be living with it on and off forever. I hope you're luckier!
posted by leslies at 6:07 AM on June 2, 2012

Unfortunately, my experience has been the same as leslies.
posted by Ruki at 8:39 AM on June 2, 2012

Yes, I have had it, leave it as long as it doesn't hurt THEN ANOTHER WEEK otherwise it will blooming well come back again. And take the anti-inflammatories, they will really work.

I exercise a lot and it drove me nuts, but I still managed

Cross trainer NOT moving arms or gripping the hand grips, just resting on them
Stepper NOT holding the hand grips if I could help it at all

Exercise bike.

I feel your pain. But if you don't let it heal, it will go on for ever, believe me.

Good luck!
posted by LyzzyBee at 10:53 AM on June 2, 2012

Concurring with everyone. It's a really irritating condition. I was completely out of commission for a month, in moderate pain for another month, and didn't start lifting weights again until about 3 months after. Two years later I can still feel it occasionally if I lift too much without warming up.
posted by no regrets, coyote at 11:49 AM on June 2, 2012

Misread question. Thought you were buying too many bulk goods.
posted by maryr at 2:05 PM on June 2, 2012

I've been having troubles with this for nearly 8 months now. Still trying to find a good PT to work with to figure it out permanently. I go through a lot of naproxen and try to avoid driving too much, and I avoid any arm exercise that isn't entirely supported outside of my chest- basically just curls and forearm exercises. Not sure what to tell you, except to play it on the safe side or else that 4-8 weeks is going to get longer and longer. Also, you wouldn't think it, but certain sex positions are a no-go if you have to support your weight with your chest too much.
For golf, you really want to take this time to focus on your core and legs/base, because anything with your arms is going to make this worse.
Sorry man, this shit sucks, I know. Good luck
posted by MangyCarface at 7:11 AM on June 4, 2012

Response by poster: I wanted to update on my condition. The weekend before July 4th, July 4th, this last weekend and Tuesday evening I went out to the range and was for the most part "comfortable". This would be my 8th week since first symptoms.

It seems for the most part the 24-48 hours afterwards is the worst, but basically after that I feel much better then before. I'm guessing an icing routine after taking my hacks is a good idea to ease any further pain. I've also modified my backswing to take a lot of the pressure off my torso.

I guess I should be glad that I'm still young enough to recover decently... Thanks for all your experiences.
posted by Bodrik at 12:49 AM on July 14, 2012