Golfers have a greater improvement in their hip specific function compared to non-golfers after total hip arthroplasty, but less than three-quarters returned to golf

Abstract

Aims Golf is a popular pursuit among those requiring total hip arthroplasty (THA). The aim of this study was to determine if participating in golf is associated with greater functional outcomes, satisfaction, or improvement in quality of life (QoL) compared to non-golfers. Methods All patients undergoing primary THA over a one-year period at a single institution were included with one-year postoperative outcomes. Patients were retrospectively followed up to assess if they had been golfers at the time of their surgery. Multivariate linear regression analysis was performed to assess the independent association of preoperative golfing status on outcomes. Results The study cohort consisted of a total of 308 patients undergoing THA, of whom 44 were golfers (14%). This included 120 male patients (39%) and 188 female patients (61%), with an overall mean age of 67.8 years (SD 11.6). Golfers had a greater mean postoperative Oxford Hip Score (OHS) (3.7 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.9 to 5.5); p < 0.001) and EuroQol visual analogue scale (5.5 (95% CI 0.1 to 11.9); p = 0.039). However, there were no differences in EuroQoL five-dimension score (p = 0.124), pain visual analogue scale (p = 0.505), or Forgotten Joint Score (p = 0.215). When adjusting for confounders, golfers had a greater improvement in their Oxford Hip Score (2.7 (95% CI 0.2 to 5.3); p < 0.001) compared to non-golfers. Of the 44 patients who reported being golfers at the time of their surgery, 32 (72.7%) returned to golf and 84.4% of those were satisfied with their involvement in golf following surgery. Those who returned to golf were more likely to be male (p = 0.039) and had higher (better) preoperative health-related QoL (p = 0.040) and hip-related functional scores (p = 0.026). Conclusion Golfers had a greater improvement in their hip-specific function compared to non-golfers after THA. However, less than three-quarters of patients return to golf, with male patients and those who had greater preoperative QoL or hip-related function being more likely to return to play. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2022;3(2):145–151.

Golfing after Orthopaedic Surgery: A longitudinal follow-up (GOLF) study protocol

“… 24 Two retrospective studies analyzing the satisfaction levels of golfers when returning after hip or knee arthroplasty reported rates of 84% or 88%, respectively. 2 , 25 …”

Hip & Pelvis

“…The aim of this study from Edinburgh (UK) was to determine if participating in golf is associated with greater functional outcomes, satisfaction, or improvement in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) compared to non-golfers following THA. 4 In a well-defined comparative case series, the authors aimed to assess the outcomes of 308 patients of whom 44 were golfers (14%). The cohort was a one-year sequential unselected series of patients undergoing THA.…”

Infographic: Total hip arthroplasty in golfers

“…Finally, this study found that male sex (p = 0.001, chi-squared test), those with greater preoperative QoL (p = 0.039, independent-samples t -test) or greater preoperative hip function (p = 0.026, independent-samples t -test) are more likely to return to golf. 6 These findings can assist surgeons and patients in shared decision-making for THA.…”

“…Robinson et al 6 set out to assess the hip-specific functional outcomes, satisfaction, and improvements in QoL following THA in golfers versus non-golfers. Additionally, the study aimed to determine the rate of return to golf and influencing factors.…”

“…Overall, 328 patients undergoing primary THA over a one-year period at a single institute were included. 6 Of these, 120 patients (39%) were male and 188 (61%) were female, with an overall mean age of 67.8 years (standard deviation (SD) 11.6). There were 44 golfers (14%) within this group.…”