| As my own hairline goes the way of the buffalo and | | | | these surgeons did recommend a three-to-four |
| my beltline gradually expands, I take comfort in | | | | month healing period after surgery before returning |
| knowing that as I approach my fifties I have plenty | | | | to golf. Starting slowly with easy chipping and putting |
| of company--particularly on the golf course. Studies | | | | was recommended before returning to full swing |
| show that there are about six million U.S. golfers over | | | | playo About seven out of ten of these surgeons |
| the age of fifty. | | | | advised the use of a cart for their patients when |
| Unfortunately, older players can be afflicted with | | | | they did resume play |
| various medical conditions that might make playing | | | | Another survey published in the medical literature |
| golf painful or even dangerous. From an orthopedic | | | | questioned professional golfers and active amateur |
| point of view, arthritis of the hip and knee are | | | | players who had returned to golf after having a hip |
| common and painful problems that can ruin an | | | | replacement. The news is again good:o All the |
| otherwise good day of golf. | | | | professional golfers reported that they were able to |
| Osteoarthritis usually develops slowly, taking years to | | | | continue playing and teaching golf after their surgery |
| show symptoms and be visible on X-rays. Early | | | | without problemso More than ninety percent of the |
| complaints may include an ache or a twinge of | | | | amateurs responded that they had no hip pain when |
| discomfort in the joint with activity (such as golf) or | | | | they played golf. All the remaining golfers who |
| with weather changes. (No, your Aunt Sadie wasn't | | | | reported some degree of hip pain during golf noted |
| crazy when she used to announce at the dinner table | | | | that they still had less pain than they did before the |
| that she could tell it was going to rain soon because | | | | hip replacement |
| her knees were acting up.) In its late stages, | | | | An identical survey of the members of the Knee |
| osteoarthritis of the hip and knee can render an | | | | Society was conducted to evaluate how experienced |
| otherwise healthy person unable to perform common | | | | knee replacement surgeons viewed our beloved |
| daily activities such as walking, sleeping, or heaven | | | | sport. Again, the news was good:o Some 93 percent |
| forbid, playing golf. | | | | of the surgeons responded that they did not object |
| There are lots of nonsurgical treatment options for | | | | to their patients playing golf after knee replacement |
| arthritic joints including rest, weight loss, medication, | | | | surgeryo Each surgeon responded that every patient |
| physical therapy, and injection treatments. These | | | | of theirs who expressed a desire to return to golf |
| measures are usually the first course of action to | | | | was able to do so after total knee replacement |
| combat the pain and stiffness of arthritis. | | | | surgeryo None of the surgeons reported a higher |
| Total joint replacement--prosthetic replacement of | | | | complication rate among patients who returned to |
| the arthritic hip, knee--is the ultimate surgical | | | | golf after total knee replacement surgeryo However, |
| treatment for advanced arthritis that does not | | | | more than three-quarters of the surgeons |
| respond to nonsurgical measures. Simply put, a total | | | | recommended the use of a golf cart after surgery |
| joint prosthesis replaces the damaged joint surfaces | | | | and at least three months of recovery time was |
| (the knee hinge or the hip ball-and-socket) with a | | | | advised postoperatively, before a return to golf |
| device made from various combinations of metal and | | | | Total knee recipients, both professional teachers and |
| plastic. | | | | serious amateurs were also surveyed:o The pros said |
| While total joint replacement represents a great | | | | they were able to play and teach golf unhindered by |
| advance in medical science, it is important to | | | | their total knee replacemento Some 90 percent of |
| remember that the replacement is not a normal joint. | | | | the amateurs were able to play golf without pain. |
| Complications such as premature wear of the metal | | | | The remaining players had some pain in their knee |
| and plastic components or loosening of the prosthesis | | | | during golf, but less pain than they had before |
| frequently require revision of the prosthesis--a | | | | surgery. |
| technically demanding procedure that all orthopedic | | | | Admittedly, the available surveys and studies linking |
| surgeons want to avoid whenever possible. Surgeons | | | | golf and its effect on total joint replacement of the |
| and biomechanical researchers are continually trying | | | | hip and knee are not supported by huge numbers of |
| to identify what factors hasten the loosening and/or | | | | patients or decades of follow-up. Maybe some day |
| premature mechanical failure of total joint prostheses. | | | | we will have a Surgeon General who is both a golf |
| The key question for us golfers, then, is whether | | | | nut and a total joint recipient. Then, perhaps a few |
| golf represents a "risky" behavior after a total hip or | | | | zillion dollars can be allocated to do more in-depth |
| knee replacement. So far, the answer is encouraging. | | | | research in golf medicine. |
| Let's start with total hip replacement. Well, I have | | | | Until then, we can take comfort in the conclusions |
| scoured the medical literature for you, and I have | | | | drawn from the studies that are now available: that |
| good news! One survey of the Hip Society (a sort of | | | | golf seems to be a doctor-friendly, patient-friendly, |
| orthopedic club made up of surgeons who are | | | | and total joint-friendly activity. Please note: A more |
| experts in hip replacement surgery) was recently | | | | complete discussion of total hip, knee, and shoulder |
| published where the surgeons were asked their | | | | replacement surgery and golf is available in Chapter |
| views regarding the role of golf and their hip | | | | 14 of Dr. Divot's Guide to Golf Injuries. Any golfer |
| replacement patients. The results should be a delight | | | | who is contemplating joint replacement surgery is |
| to sore-hipped golfers everywhere:o None of these | | | | advised to read the chapter in its entirety. Also, be |
| surgeons prohibited his patients from playing golf | | | | sure to discuss with your own surgeon your desire |
| after hip replacemento None of these surgeons | | | | to return to golf after surgery so that an |
| reported that their golfing patients had higher | | | | individualized plan can be devised for you with your |
| complication rates than nongolfing patientso Many of | | | | own doctor. |