Does golf predispose to hip osteoarthritis?

Golf and Hip Osteoarthritis Risk

Golf does not appear to predispose to hip osteoarthritis; in fact, golf may be beneficial for individuals with existing osteoarthritis by improving psychological wellbeing and general health.

Occupational Activities and OA Risk

• Strong evidence exists for certain occupational activities increasing hip OA risk, particularly in men, including:

  • Heavy lifting (especially >20kg at least 10 times/day over extended periods) 1
  • Cumulative physical loads 1
  • Full-body vibration (such as operating tractors or heavy machinery) 1

• Activities that do NOT increase hip OA risk (strong evidence):

  • Sitting, standing, and walking activities 1
  • Recreational activities with moderate joint loading 1

Golf and Joint Health

• Golf is not identified as a risk factor for hip osteoarthritis in any of the major guidelines or systematic reviews examining occupational and recreational activities 1

• Research actually suggests golf may be beneficial for individuals with osteoarthritis:

  • Golfers with osteoarthritis report lower psychological distress compared to the general population (adjusted mean difference -4.0,95% CI -6.5 to -1.5) 2
  • Golfers with osteoarthritis have a greater likelihood of reporting good to excellent general health (adjusted relative risk 1.3,95% CI 1.2 to 1.4) 2

• Among professional golfers specifically:

  • 19.3% report hip pain, but this is not necessarily osteoarthritis 3
  • Predictors of hip pain in golfers include increasing α angle (cam morphology) and increasing age, not the act of golfing itself 3

Rehabilitation Considerations for Golfers with Hip OA

• Conservative management and golf-specific rehabilitation can be beneficial for individuals with hip OA who wish to continue golfing 4

• Rehabilitation programs should focus on:

  • Core and scapular stability exercises 4
  • Golf-specific stretches and functional training 4, 5
  • Proper weight transfer during swing to avoid excessive stress on joints 5

Preventing Joint Stress During Golf

• To minimize potential joint stress during golf:
  • Maintain proper swing mechanics to avoid excessive side-bend and over-rotation of the spine 6
  • Ensure adequate trunk and hip flexibility 6
  • Strengthen trunk musculature for better endurance 6
  • Consider using a golf cart rather than carrying clubs 6

Exercise Benefits for OA

• Therapeutic exercise has an overall positive effect on pain and physical function for individuals with knee and hip OA compared to non-exercise controls 1

• Individuals with higher levels of osteoarthritis-related pain and disability may benefit more from exercise therapy 1

• Exercise is unlikely to be harmful and provides multifaceted benefits for general health and comorbid conditions, regardless of osteoarthritis status 1