Submitted By Lance A. Rettig M.D.
10.27.2009

Knocking Down Pins Without Pain

Bowling is one of America’s favorite pastimes.  According to the United States Bowling Congress, more than 66 million people in the United States bowl during a year, with over six million bowlers joining leagues and other competitions.  It’s definitely a great way to spend time with family and friends.  It’s also a sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities and in any kind of weather. 

But like any other sport, bowling can cause painful injuries – especially to your hands and wrist.  That’s why it’s important to know the common injuries and seek medical attention when necessary to keep the fun in your bowling game. 

Tendonitis is a very common injury and often targets the wrist of a bowler. It is a swelling and irritation of tendons and ligaments and occurs as a result of the repetitive motion of bowling.  Tendonitis can cause a dull ache or sharp pain every time you try to swing a bowling ball. The injury can take anywhere from a couple of days to a few weeks, or in extreme cases, months to heal properly.  Many bowlers wait too long to treat tendonitis.

Another common injury known as bowler’s thumb occurs when there is a pinched nerve at the base of the thumb.  It results from direct pressure on the nerve from the thumb hole of a bowling ball.  This constant pressure eventually can lead to scar tissue that wraps itself around the nerve to cause the ultimate in bowler’s thumb.  Symptoms include numbness and tingling. 

Choosing the right bowling ball is the first step to successful bowling without injury. Your ball shouldn’t be too heavy or too light, and should fit comfortably and naturally on your fingers.  Also, you should stretch before and after bowling to reduce chances of tendonitis.  If you injure yourself, see your doctor or an orthopedic specialist as soon as possible. Ignoring the warning signs will only result in more intense pain and discomfort, and possibly, permanent damage.