Golf After Orthopaedic Surgery: A Longitudinal Follow-up (GOLF) Study

Aims The primary aim of this prospective, multi-centre study is to describe the rates of returning to golf following hip, knee and shoulder arthroplasty in an active golfing population. Secondary aims will include determining the timing of return to golf, changes in ability, handicap, and mobility, and assessing joint-specific and health-related outcomes following surgery. Methods This is a multi-centre, prospective, longitudinal study between the Hospital for Special Surgery, New York City and Edinburgh Orthopaedics, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, United Kingdom. Both centres are high-volume arthroplasty centres, specialising in upper and lower limb arthroplasty. Patients undergoing hip, knee or shoulder arthroplasty at either centres, and who report being golfers prior to arthroplasty will be included. Patient-reported outcome measures will obtained at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months. A one-year period of recruitment will be undertaken of arthroplasty patients at both sites. Conclusions The results of this prospective study will provide clinicians with accurate data to deliver to patients with regards to the likelihood of return to golf and timing of when they can expect to return to golf following their hip, knee or shoulder arthroplasty, as well as their joint-specific functional outcomes. This will help patients to manage their postoperative expectations and plan their postoperative recovery pathway.