Serratus anterior golf injury – Causes and treatment- Updated

The serratus anterior golf injury is unfortunate for a golfer since it will require the person to take a sabbatical from golfing for an extended period. The Serratus anterior also called the boxer’s muscle or the big swing muscle is a crucial muscle responsible for scapular (shoulder blade) stabilization and protraction, essential for a proper golf swing. It plays a vital role in maintaining the correct position of the scapula during the swing, enabling efficient arm movement and power generation. However, the serratus anterior is prone to injury due to its extensive role in the golf swing. If you’ve ever complained about ribs sore after golfing, or rib pain after golfing, then most likely you’ve have the case of serratus anterior gold injury. But don’t worry; read on to find out how you can get back to your normal self again.

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The intercostal muscles or rib muscles play a vital role in breathing in and out correctly. Any injuries experienced around the chest are, in most cases, severe. Sustaining a serratus anterior golf injury will be painful and take you out of a hold on your golfing for a while.

What is serratus anterior?

Serratus anterior, also called boxer’s muscle, refers to a broad muscle located between the thorax and scapula. Its fibers extend medially and posteriorly from the lateral ribs before running deep into the scapula, from the first rib down to the eighth.

It is inserted under the surface of the scapula medial border, lying along the subscapularis and sharing a solid attachment with the rhomboid minor and major.

Its origin is on the upper ribs inserted on the anterior and medial border of the scapula. Serratus anterior’s name comes from its location and appearance. Its jagged edges are similar to the serrated knives, and its location is on the front of the body.

The serratus anterior’s multiple bodily functions make it critical to healthy rhythms during movements such as pushing, reaching, and throwing. Proper muscle contraction and optimal strength in the shoulder and neck muscles will be impossible without it.

The boxer’s muscles or serratus anterior are most visible on active bodybuilders, with the long thoracic nerve traveling on the muscle’s surface and innervating it. Aside from coordinating the movement of the neck and shoulder muscles, it also plays a significant role in forceful inhalation.

Overview of the serratus anterior

Serratus anterior also serves as an accessory muscle of respiration, so it is usually used during labored breathing caused by exercise. The upward rotation and protraction of the scapula describe its primary action. Also known as the boxer’s muscle, which moves the scapula similarly to the motion that happens when a person throws a punch. It is also responsible for holding the scapula close to the rib cage to assist the movement of the arm. As it works along with other muscles such as the rhomboideus major, levator scapulae, trapezius, and pectoralis minor, it can also control your scapula by pulling it downward and forward.

Why are My Ribs Sore After Golfing – Explained.

Bruises and injuries around the ribs make it difficult to keep your golf swing smooth. Break a rib, and you can wave goodbye to stepping your feet back into the course until the bone heals.

Playing golf with a broken rib is not only painful but potentially dangerous. Bone fragments that puncture or tear the lining of the lungs can lead to life-threatening complications. Letting a minor rib fracture or bruise rest for a few weeks can help you get back to the normal you – but you should consult your doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment recommendations.

Every rib is relatively fragile. However, the cartilage between your sternum and ribs makes your chest cavity flexible. This will let it absorb shock and change position as your body moves. Rib injuries can range from impact bruises to stress fractures. For example, if you are accidentally hit by a club while catching a ball, you may bruise your ribs. This will usually heal within a few days. Stress fractures occur when you apply too much force to the ribs.

What are the Causes of Rib Pain After Golf

According to NYU Langone Medical Center, rib pain after golf injury sometimes occurs due to repetitive and strenuous upper body movements. This includes the regular swings and powerful activities and actions required to play golf. In particular, teeing off from the tee on a full-size course can stress the ribs and the serratus anterior muscles. Despite this, serratus anterior golf injuries are a relatively uncommon problem in golf. If you damage your ribs or strain a muscle or two while playing golf, you will feel pain during your swing and, in some cases, see bruising around the affected ribs.

In a 1994 study published in the Chinese Medical Journal, researchers concluded that amateur golfers are likely to suffer stress fractures of the rib cage due to:

under-stretching
poor technique
excessive practice or overuse
poor nutrition
wear and tear from repetitive motion
Blunt force-related injuries to the serratus area

In addition, using the wrong equipment also increases the chance of serratus anterior-related injuries. Extra-long clubs mean you’re more likely to hit the ground than the ball during your swing. The impact can be transferred to the bones and body and can injure the ribs in severe cases.

Symptoms of serratus anterior golf injury

Any injuries sustained by the serratus anterior muscle often result in chest, back, or arm pain, primarily due to the muscle fibers’ location and function. Such injuries may also make it difficult for you to raise your arms above your head or the normal range of motion of your arms and shoulders.

Pain is a constant symptom when a golfer sustains a rib injury after golfing, so some refer to this pain as the

pain will manifest in several ways, such as

Pain in your arms or fingers
Difficulty breathing deeply
Sensitivity
Tightness of the rib area
Chest or breast pain
Scapular pain
Some symptoms common with golfers may include one of the following:
unable to tee without pain
sour neck after playing golf
lower back pain after golf swing
sour back after playing golf

Treatment of serratus anterior golf injury

Depending on the serratus anterior muscle injury severity, resting for a few weeks while taking the doctor’s prescribed pain medication will relieve the serratus anterior pain, heal your strained muscles and get you back into the golf course looking new.

In mild cases, these techniques will assist in your recovery process:

Resting is prioritized as the ultimate treatment for many rib injuries, particularly for serratus anterior golf injuries. (Read: How to sleep with a subluxated rib.)
Avoid lifting heavy objects.
Do not attempt playing golf.
Wear a rib protector or rib wrap/brace for up to two months.
Rib injury rehabilitation exercises.
hot and cold compresses (The same technique as outlined for dislocated ribs treatment)
Practice deep breathing exercises at home; shallow breathing after a rib fracture can lead to pneumonia.

Your doctor may prescribe CT, X-ray, or MRI scans to rule out more severe injuries in severe cases. In addition, your doctor may prescribe you with one or more of the following