It was 60 degrees in the DMV yesterday. With no snow on the ground I had to peel my rear off the sofa and get the season started. There was one problem. I have been rehabbing elbow tendonitis and a previous trip to the range in early January ended badly and forced me into formal rehab. I’m in the fifth week of a six-week physical therapy stint and it’s going well. I have been constantly dialoging with my physical therapist on how best to accelerate my healing and prepare for the season. The goal is full recovery by March 1st. My daily regimen of exercise the arm, stretch the arm, ice the arm, and remain a couch potato is growing old, but admittedly it’s been working. I’d estimate I’m about 80-85% recovered.
Last week I took a few full swings with the driver in the back yard and experienced some pain so I did not clear myself for full ball striking and worked short game and putting instead. I’m glad I did and my arm is just a little sore today. If you are right handed, left elbow tendonitis can be rough because you brace yourself against a firm left arm during the strike. I need to be really cautious here because a dead left arm could put my season in jeopardy. My guy says to, “let the pain tell you what to do.” If that’s the case, I shouldn’t have played on this for three years and got it treated. Oh well.
Yesterday, I chipped with all my clubs and worked a large variety of shots. With a brace on the elbow, the first five shots elicited some mild pain but it loosened up and felt great for the balance of the session. I was also surprised how sharp I was after expunging whatever left over baggage I had from 2018. I’d love to play next weekend but it’s too soon. It will probably take a couple weeks of range work and maybe some more short game and I should be in action by mid-March.
Have you ever worked through a bout of tendonitis? Got any words of wisdom?
Play well!
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