Healthy swing: a golf rehabilitation model

Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2002 Jul;81(7):498-501. doi: 10.1097/00002060-200207000-00005.

Abstract

Objective: To describe a rehabilitation model using a multidisciplinary team approach for the diagnosis and treatment of individuals with golf injuries or physically challenged persons desiring to play golf.

Design: A retrospective, descriptive study of a multidisciplinary golf rehabilitation program that included evaluation by a physiatrist, a physical therapist, and a Professional Golf Association golf professional.

Results: A total of 145 individuals were treated in this program between 1994 and 1997. The majority of subjects were amateur (95%), male golfers (80%), with a mean age of 55.7 yr (range, 14-80 yr). Golfing injuries of the lower back were the most common diagnosis and had a higher frequency in men than women (49% vs. 28%); women were more likely to have shoulder (28% vs. 10%) and elbow (13% vs. 9%) injuries than men. Interventions used included medical or surgical treatment (89%), physical rehabilitation, including exercises or diathermy (92%), and modification of golf swing technique (83%). Outcomes included a return to sports participation in 98% of subjects. All subjects with golf-induced injuries returned to sports participation, and one male and one female subject won state amateur golf championships.

Conclusion: A comprehensive, multidisciplinary model for the evaluation and rehabilitation of golf injuries has been developed, using a team of healthcare professionals and a golf teaching professional. This approach may play a role in facilitating recovery and sports participation in injured golfers.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Athletic Injuries / rehabilitation*
  • Disabled Persons / education*
  • Female
  • Golf / education
  • Golf / injuries*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Care Team
  • Rehabilitation / methods
  • Retrospective Studies