Healthy swing: a golf rehabilitation model.
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.


METHODS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
University Rehabilitation, Brown University Medical School, East Providence, Rhode Island 02914, USA.
John R
JR
Parziale
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000193:education*; D005260:Female; D006055:Golf / Q000193:education / Q000293:injuries*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010348:Patient Care Team; D012046:Rehabilitation / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies