Hip arthritis - hindering golf swing

[timd77]

Hi, I’ve had arthritis in both hips for a few years now. I’m 47 and so too young to have them replaced yet, instead I have steroid injections roughly once a year. They’re meant to last 6-12 months, but it’s very hit and miss. The latest injections seemed to wear off within a couple of months. My next appointment is October where they’ll probably agree it’s time for another injection and I’ll go back on the waiting list!

Anyway, it’s ok and manageable a lot of the time, but every so often it flares up pretty bad, to the point I can barely get around, have to sit down to get dressed etc. I had one of those flare ups recently and had to stop playing golf for a couple of weeks.

At the minute, I’m ok walking around doing day to day things, but the last 2 rounds I’ve noticed it’s affecting my golf swing. Finding that I turn as much as I can in the back swing, and then when I come back down I get stuck, can’t turn back and can’t get through the ball properly. End up stepping off it or hitting some very funky shots. Nearly missed the ball twice yesterday.

I’ve searched the internet for possible solutions, there’s a lot of gumpf out there, so I wondered if any of you have had anything similar in the past, how you coped with it, how you adjusted your swing, or if you know of a pro who specialises in this sort of thing?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Neilds]

Does it get worse as the round progresses? If so, have you considered using a buggy to reduce the strain on your hips?

 

[timd77]

No, it’s fairly constant the whole way around really. I’m pretty fine walking, in fact, I seize up quite quickly and so even if I’m waiting for the group ahead to play their shots I’ll always remain standing. I have had a buggy in the past when I’ve experienced the pain and it hasn’t really helped.

The pain at the moment is mainly when I twist and make unusual movements.

 

[clubchamp98]

Hi, I’ve had arthritis in both hips for a few years now. I’m 47 and so too young to have them replaced yet, instead I have steroid injections roughly once a year. They’re meant to last 6-12 months, but it’s very hit and miss. The latest injections seemed to wear off within a couple of months. My next appointment is October where they’ll probably agree it’s time for another injection and I’ll go back on the waiting list!

Anyway, it’s ok and manageable a lot of the time, but every so often it flares up pretty bad, to the point I can barely get around, have to sit down to get dressed etc. I had one of those flare ups recently and had to stop playing golf for a couple of weeks.

At the minute, I’m ok walking around doing day to day things, but the last 2 rounds I’ve noticed it’s affecting my golf swing. Finding that I turn as much as I can in the back swing, and then when I come back down I get stuck, can’t turn back and can’t get through the ball properly. End up stepping off it or hitting some very funky shots. Nearly missed the ball twice yesterday.

I’ve searched the internet for possible solutions, there’s a lot of gumpf out there, so I wondered if any of you have had anything similar in the past, how you coped with it, how you adjusted your swing, or if you know of a pro who specialises in this sort of thing?

Thanks in advance.

I dislocated my left knee years ago and it left me with a similar problem.
I just played a sort of punch shot most of the time, but did find it difficult with driver and woods.

The momentum of the swing takes you past your comfortable position this is why your sore.
Sadly arthritis is a thing that won’t get better so you will just have to try and control your swing and accept your limitations!
The worst thing is just stopping and sitting around doing nothing.
Catch 22 position.!

 

[timd77]

I dislocated my left knee years ago and it left me with a similar problem.
I just played a sort of punch shot most of the time, but did find it difficult with driver and woods.

The momentum of the swing takes you past your comfortable position this is why your sore.
Sadly arthritis is a thing that won’t get better so you will just have to try and control your swing and accept your limitations!
The worst thing is just stopping and sitting around doing nothing.
Catch 22 position.!

Yeh, I definitely don’t want to sit around doing nothing. I’m not playing midweek this week to give it some rest, but will still be out walking the dog every day!

This is what I found yesterday. I narrowed my stance, put the ball in the back of my stance and took an extra club. Seemed to work some of the time but I’ll need to practice it. And exactly what you said about the driver and fairway wood, whether it’s because I naturally swing harder and longer with them I’m not sure, but I topped 2 drives and a fairway off the tee yesterday, which isn’t like me, I’m normally decent with driver. I did manage to find some sort of fix towards the end but still not great!

I was trying to step through the shot as much as I could, but again, it’s something I’d need to practice rather than trying it on the course.

 

[Backache]

I’ve searched the internet for possible solutions, there’s a lot of gumpf out there, so I wondered if any of you have had anything similar in the past, how you coped with it, how you adjusted your swing, or if you know of a pro who specialises in this sort of thing?

Thanks in advance.

Bad luck , Feel for you.
Have you tried seeing if there is a TPI certified specialist local to you who may be able to help.

 

[clubchamp98]

Yeh, I definitely don’t want to sit around doing nothing. I’m not playing midweek this week to give it some rest, but will still be out walking the dog every day!

This is what I found yesterday. I narrowed my stance, put the ball in the back of my stance and took an extra club. Seemed to work some of the time but I’ll need to practice it. And exactly what you said about the driver and fairway wood, whether it’s because I naturally swing harder and longer with them I’m not sure, but I topped 2 drives and a fairway off the tee yesterday, which isn’t like me, I’m normally decent with driver. I did manage to find some sort of fix towards the end but still not great!

I was trying to step through the shot as much as I could, but again, it’s something I’d need to practice rather than trying it on the course.

I found stepping through the shot ( Gary Player style) didn’t work for me.
It put a lot more twist in my left leg to shift the weight over to the left.

So some experimental golf for you to find something that works for you.

The driver is just pure speed and centrifugal force once you start your downswing it’s hard not to follow through and it pulls you through the shot past your comfort zone.


Try your pro he might just have some ideas to help!
Good luck.

 

[timd77]

Bad luck , Feel for you.
Have you tried seeing if there is a TPI certified specialist local to you who may be able to help.

Haven’t heard of tpi, will check it out…

 

[Backache]

Haven’t heard of tpi, will check it out…

Its the titleist performance institute and they train and certify various specialists to look at and improve movement restrictions in golfers amongst many other things.

Find An Expert

Locate a TPI Certified Expert in your area.

www.mytpi.com

 

[timd77]

Its the titleist performance institute and they train and certify various specialists to look at and improve movement restrictions in golfers amongst many other things.

Find An Expert

Locate a TPI Certified Expert in your area.

www.mytpi.com

Just had a read about it, really interesting. Will certainly consider it if this flare up doesn’t settle down soon.

 

[craig l]

Have you tried to improve the flexibility and strength in you hips by doing simple exercises like 90 90 hip stretch etc.

 

[timd77]

Have you tried to improve the flexibility and strength in you hips by doing simple exercises like 90 90 hip stretch etc.

Yeh, I’ve asked my doctor to put me in touch with someone exercises I can do to manage it, will see what that brings. Too scared to do any exercises off my own bat in case I make it worse!

 

[chrisd]

I had both of mine resurfaced (the Andy Murray job) before I was 60. The idea was that if they didn't hold up I could still have them replaced in the conventional way (maybe twice). I've played lots of golf since then and they are both solid. I make sure at address that I splay the left foot out a bit to save stress on the left hip at the top of the backswing, otherwise I'm fine, and there's no way I could have waited any longer for the surgery.

 

[timd77]

I had both of mine resurfaced (the Andy Murray job) before I was 60. The idea was that if they didn't hold up I could still have them replaced in the conventional way (maybe twice). I've played lots of golf since then and they are both solid. I make sure at address that I splay the left foot out a bit to save stress on the left hip at the top of the backswing, otherwise I'm fine, and there's no way I could have waited any longer for the surgery.

Out of interest, how old were you when you had that done?

I asked my specialist about it (because a previous specialist had mentioned it when I was first diagnosed) and he said they no longer recommend doing it, mainly because of mixed results.

As I say, I’m 47 and they won’t replace mine until I’m 50 at the earliest. I have private medical cover through work and could probably get it done through them. Mentioned this to my specialist and he advised me not to because they don’t last forever, leave it as long as possible. Got to be honest I’m getting to that stage now, sick of feeling like I’m an old man!

 

[chrisd]

Out of interest, how old were you when you had that done?

I asked my specialist about it (because a previous specialist had mentioned it when I was first diagnosed) and he said they no longer recommend doing it, mainly because of mixed results.

As I say, I’m 47 and they won’t replace mine until I’m 50 at the earliest. I have private medical cover through work and could probably get it done through them. Mentioned this to my specialist and he advised me not to because they don’t last forever, leave it as long as possible. Got to be honest I’m getting to that stage now, sick of feeling like I’m an old man!

I was about 57 for the first one and a couple of years later for he second. My consultant said he'd have to do it as both of my hips were knackered, and age didn't really come into it, it was quality of life. I know that some earlier hip were bad but (apparently) mine were a better version. I did have to have annual "metal in blood" tests for some years after but mine have very low wear so all was ok - I haven't been called for 5 or 6 years for that test. A lady friend of ours had a conventional hip replacement in her mid 30's and it's still going strong at 70.

 

[timd77]

I was about 57 for the first one and a couple of years later for he second. My consultant said he'd have to do it as both of my hips were knackered, and age didn't really come into it, it was quality of life. I know that some earlier hip were bad but (apparently) mine were a better version. I did have to have annual "metal in blood" tests for some years after but mine have very low wear so all was ok - I haven't been called for 5 or 6 years for that test. A lady friend of ours had a conventional hip replacement in her mid 30's and it's still going strong at 70.

Interesting to hear, thanks Chris.

 

[Colin L]

It's of no immediate consolation to you Tim, but when the time comes I hope you are as fortunate as I have been. Getting replacement hips was transformational. The first was done in October 2015 on my birthday - not quite the theatre visit you might normally associate with a birthday celebration - and the second one 6 months later on the Ides of March, a more ominous date perhaps. Since which time it has been amazing. No pain and still able to walk, golf and ski with my 80th birthday coming up shortly.

As far as golf is concerned I'd endorse Jim's advice to turn your left foot out and try going further. I have found a more open stance right through the bag quite effective.

 

[timd77]

It's of no immediate consolation to you Tim, but when the time comes I hope you are as fortunate as I have been. Getting replacement hips was transformational. The first was done in October 2015 on my birthday - not quite the theatre visit you might normally associate with a birthday celebration - and the second one 6 months later on the Ides of March, a more ominous date perhaps. Since which time it has been amazing. No pain and still able to walk, golf and ski with my 80th birthday coming up shortly.

As far as golf is concerned I'd endorse Jim's advice to turn your left foot out and try going further. I have found a more open stance right through the bag quite effective.

Thanks Colin, that’s good to hear. Not wishing my life away but I’m looking forward to getting them replaced in a few years!

As it happens I’m going through a good spell at the moment, the flare up that prompted this thread eased and I’ve had no pain at all for approx 10 days now, which is fantastic. It’s still in my head though so every step and swing is tentative!