What Is Bowler's Tendinitis?

Bowler's tendinitis (or tendonitis) is a type of inflammation, irritation and swelling of the tendons. It is named after the injury that bowlers often experience.

  1. Description

    • Bowler's tendinitis is a common injury, characterized by pain coming from the muscles and tendons of the wrist and/or hand. In some cases, pain may be experienced from the elbow.

    Causes

    • Bowler's tendinitis is often caused by hand and/or wrist overuse. In some cases, it may be caused by the size of the bowling balls used---some people find that they are too small or big for their hands.

    Extent of Pain

    • The pain from bowler's tendinitis can worsen every time the injured part is moved. It could take a couple of days or weeks to fully heal.

    Treatment

    • Relieving pain and reducing inflammation can usually be achieved by simple rest or immobilization of the affected limb. In more extreme cases, the patient might need to take drugs such as aspirin or ibuprofen.

    Prevention

    • Bowler's tendinitis can be avoided by staying away from repetitive motion, performing warm-up exercises before bowling, and making sure that the balls used are of appropriate size.