Over 23 million people participate in the sport of Golf. 6.2 million of those individuals are over the age of 65. Many people have total hip replacements and are unsure if they are able to golf again. YES, you can play golf again! There are many injuries that can occur from overuse playing golf. Injuring the lower extremity can make an effect on participation. 78.9% of people, report altered performance after an injury.
Hip injuries can sometimes lead to total hip replacements, or total hip arthroplasty. This is when a prosthesis is implanted to replace damaged bones and cartilage in the hip joint. Recovery from this procedure depends on the individual, but physical therapy can help design a personalized program to help you get back into the swing of things.
Your hip requires full internal and external rotation to properly swing a gold club. Physical therapy can help rehabilitate an individual following a total hip replacement by strengthening the hip muscles, restoring range of motion, stretching, strengthening the core and assign golf specific exercises to help you return to your game with little to no extra strokes. Research has shown there are no adverse effects to return to golf 3 years after a total hip replacement. A person should have the same hip torque as before the surgery to keep those long drives going strong.
Contact ProActive Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine if you have had or are going to have a total hip replacement, to get your personalized rehabilitation program designed by our qualified Physical Therapists to get you back on the course as soon as possible!
References:
McHurdy A, Pollard H, Luo K. Golf injuries-A review of the literature. Sports Med. 2006;36:171-187.
Brotzman SB, Wilk KE. Clinical Orthopaedic Rehabilitation. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: The Curtis Center; 2003.