The effect of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair on golf handicap

Background: Golf is a popular sport worldwide that has been embraced by individuals of all ages. In middle-aged and older golfers, shoulder pain during sport can be associated with rotator cuff (RC) pathology given the complex coordination required to swing a golf club. Patients considering arthrosc...

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Main Authors: Jordan K. Penn, BS, Alex Friedman, DO, Mateo L. Pacelli, Daniel T. Keefe, MD, Brian J. Rebolledo, MD, Jan Fronek, MD, Laura R. Alberton, MD, Heinz R. Hoenecke, MD
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-07-01
Series:JSES International
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666638325000684
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author Jordan K. Penn, BS
Alex Friedman, DO
Mateo L. Pacelli
Daniel T. Keefe, MD
Brian J. Rebolledo, MD
Jan Fronek, MD
Laura R. Alberton, MD
Heinz R. Hoenecke, MD
author_facet Jordan K. Penn, BS
Alex Friedman, DO
Mateo L. Pacelli
Daniel T. Keefe, MD
Brian J. Rebolledo, MD
Jan Fronek, MD
Laura R. Alberton, MD
Heinz R. Hoenecke, MD
author_sort Jordan K. Penn, BS
collection DOAJ
description Background: Golf is a popular sport worldwide that has been embraced by individuals of all ages. In middle-aged and older golfers, shoulder pain during sport can be associated with rotator cuff (RC) pathology given the complex coordination required to swing a golf club. Patients considering arthroscopic RC repair often ask how their golfing ability will be affected by surgery. The purpose of this study was to assess golf handicap as a measure of golfing ability among patients who underwent arthroscopic RC repair. Methods: Twenty-nine patients who underwent arthroscopic RC repair between 2017 and 2020 were retrospectively identified. All patients indicated that they played golf before and after surgery and provided their golf handicap information network number so that their handicap data could be obtained. Indications included complete tear (n = 22) and partial tear (n = 7) of the RC that required repair. Mean age was 65 ± 8.1 years, and 97% were males. Golf handicap was compared between the most recent handicap preoperatively (within 1 year prior to surgery) and 1 and 2 years following surgery. Eighteen of 29 patients were available for telephone interviews at a mean of 5.6 ± 1.2 years to capture additional handicap data and outcomes including the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Shoulder score and the Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation. Results: Handicap increased by 1.2 strokes 1 year after surgery (P = .007). By 2 years postoperatively, no change from preoperative handicap was seen (P = .107). Change in handicap between patients who had surgery on their lead vs. back shoulder did not vary significantly at 1 year (P = .688) or at 2 years (P = .184) after surgery. Discussion: Arthroscopic RC repair led to a decrease in golfing ability 1 year after surgery but returned to preoperative ability by 2 years after surgery.
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spelling doaj-art-7ffcee392ebf4c51b556087627f2fbc92025-08-20T02:36:58ZengElsevierJSES International2666-63832025-07-01941114111710.1016/j.jseint.2025.02.010The effect of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair on golf handicapJordan K. Penn, BS0Alex Friedman, DO1Mateo L. Pacelli2Daniel T. Keefe, MD3Brian J. Rebolledo, MD4Jan Fronek, MD5Laura R. Alberton, MD6Heinz R. Hoenecke, MD7Shiley Center for Orthopaedic Research and Education, Scripps Clinic, La Jolla, CA, USADepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Scripps Clinic, La Jolla, CA, USAShiley Center for Orthopaedic Research and Education, Scripps Clinic, La Jolla, CA, USADepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Scripps Clinic, La Jolla, CA, USADepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Scripps Clinic, La Jolla, CA, USADepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Scripps Clinic, La Jolla, CA, USADepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Scripps Clinic, La Jolla, CA, USADepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Scripps Clinic, La Jolla, CA, USA; Corresponding author: Heinz R. Hoenecke, MD, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Scripps Clinic, 10666 North Torrey Pines Road, MS116, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.Background: Golf is a popular sport worldwide that has been embraced by individuals of all ages. In middle-aged and older golfers, shoulder pain during sport can be associated with rotator cuff (RC) pathology given the complex coordination required to swing a golf club. Patients considering arthroscopic RC repair often ask how their golfing ability will be affected by surgery. The purpose of this study was to assess golf handicap as a measure of golfing ability among patients who underwent arthroscopic RC repair. Methods: Twenty-nine patients who underwent arthroscopic RC repair between 2017 and 2020 were retrospectively identified. All patients indicated that they played golf before and after surgery and provided their golf handicap information network number so that their handicap data could be obtained. Indications included complete tear (n = 22) and partial tear (n = 7) of the RC that required repair. Mean age was 65 ± 8.1 years, and 97% were males. Golf handicap was compared between the most recent handicap preoperatively (within 1 year prior to surgery) and 1 and 2 years following surgery. Eighteen of 29 patients were available for telephone interviews at a mean of 5.6 ± 1.2 years to capture additional handicap data and outcomes including the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Shoulder score and the Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation. Results: Handicap increased by 1.2 strokes 1 year after surgery (P = .007). By 2 years postoperatively, no change from preoperative handicap was seen (P = .107). Change in handicap between patients who had surgery on their lead vs. back shoulder did not vary significantly at 1 year (P = .688) or at 2 years (P = .184) after surgery. Discussion: Arthroscopic RC repair led to a decrease in golfing ability 1 year after surgery but returned to preoperative ability by 2 years after surgery.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666638325000684ArthroscopyShoulderRotator cuff repairGolfGolf handicapFunctional outcomes
spellingShingle Jordan K. Penn, BS
Alex Friedman, DO
Mateo L. Pacelli
Daniel T. Keefe, MD
Brian J. Rebolledo, MD
Jan Fronek, MD
Laura R. Alberton, MD
Heinz R. Hoenecke, MD
The effect of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair on golf handicap
JSES International
Arthroscopy
Shoulder
Rotator cuff repair
Golf
Golf handicap
Functional outcomes
title The effect of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair on golf handicap
title_full The effect of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair on golf handicap
title_fullStr The effect of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair on golf handicap
title_full_unstemmed The effect of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair on golf handicap
title_short The effect of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair on golf handicap
title_sort effect of arthroscopic rotator cuff repair on golf handicap
topic Arthroscopy
Shoulder
Rotator cuff repair
Golf
Golf handicap
Functional outcomes
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666638325000684
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