07-01 - OFF Week - Bowling tendinitis?

I've decided to change things up for this week. I will introduce injuries that are sustained while playing non-mainstream sports. These "non-mainstream" sports can range from cricket to pogo jumping.

This week, I will be doing a blog on bowling. Yes, Americas' favorite and family friendly pastime! Where players attempt to score points by knocking down pins with a bowling ball. The sport was found to have existed in ancient Germany and Finland. (dating back to AD300) The most widely played version today is called "tenpin", in which players try to knock down a total of ten pins within a total of ten frames. The sport of bowling has since grown in popularity from the 1950's and 1960's. Even Hollywood has had their fair share of bowling-centric movies. (i.e. Kingpin and The Big Lebowski)

Each year, there are tens of thousand bowling tournaments that are played on any given day. With the biggest tournament of them all, PBA World Championship, being hosted in Allen Park, MI from August 30 - December 13. (Varies from year to year.)

Just like any major professional sport, the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) has a ranking structure that is based on calculations from various events and play throughout the season. Each athlete that wants to position themselves towards the top of the "power rankings" must compete in events to earn points / winnings. The rigors of participating in so many events can lead to a multitude of injuries.


One specific injury that I wanted to focus on is a condition that was coined "bowler's tendonitis".

What is bowler's tendonitis?

Bowler's tendinitis is medically termed as medial epicondylitis and is irritation and swelling of the tendons located medially at the elbow joint, or on the inside and middle of the elbow.

How often does it occur?

This injury is most often seen in competitive bowling. Whether it is youth/adult/senior competitions, the rigors of frequently bowling will prevent the body from its natural recovery / recuperation process.


How to treat this condition:

Relieving pain and reducing swelling can usually be achieved by resting or immobilizing the affected limb. (Motrin (military cure-all) wouldn't hurt either..)

How to prevent this condition:

Bowler's tendinitis can be avoided by staying away from repetitive motion, performing warm-up exercises before bowling and making sure the gear that you are using are of appropriate weight/size.

If you develop tendinitis in your wrist, you can buy these handy wrist braces to protect / prevent / heal: