Introduction and Aims: This study was designed to assess the impact of lower limb arthroplasty on performance and other outcome measures in active golfers. The aim was to obtain justification data prior to proceeding with a much larger prospective study.

Method: Subjects were selected for inclusion in the study on the basis of having undergone lower limb arthroplasty surgery and actively playing golf at a social or competitive level at least fortnightly. Data was collected retrospectively by the use of a self-administered, patient-orientated questionnaire. Pre- and post-joint replacement data was obtained for: Australian Golf Union (AGU) handicap; driving and longest iron distances; frequency and duration of golf rounds played; use of motorised assistance; and pain, stiffness, swelling and subjective performance scores. Demographics, length of time to return to playing golf post-operatively and post-operative complications were also recorded.

Results: Results were obtained from 25 subjects with 33 joints in total replaced, 24 male and one female, mean age 70.6 years (range 53–81 years) and average time to survey post-arthroplasty was five years and 10 months. The right knee was replaced in 30.3% of subjects, left knee 27.3%, right hip 24.2% and left hip 18.2%. Eight of the 25 subjects reported complications with three requiring further surgery. There were no reports of dislocation. The average time taken to resume golfing activity post-arthroplasty was 15.4 weeks (range 5–52 weeks). Subjects demonstrated a mean increase in their AGU handicap of 1.6 strokes (p< 0.05). Average drive distance off the tee shortened by 8.6 metres (p< 0.05), with a similar change for average longest iron length, in the magnitude of 7.4 metres (p< 0.05). There was no significant change in the numbers of rounds played per month, with a mean of 8.9 pre-joint replacement and 8.3 after surgery. Wilcoxon signed-ranks test values were significant (p < 0.05) for comparison of pre to post-joint replacement, showing a decrease in reported symptoms of pain, stiffness and swelling following joint replacement. A highly significant (p< 0.001) finding was a reduction in the subjective impact of joint symptoms on golf performance post-arthroplasty.

Conclusion: Although subjects seem to be more satisfied with their golf by playing with less joint pain, stiffness and swelling, they appear to do so with an actual decrease in objective performance. These significant findings support conducting a much larger prospective study looking at the impact of arthroplasty on golf activity, and vice versa.