Repair of rotator cuff tears in golfers.

PURPOSE: Golfers continue to play through the years that rotator cuff disease becomes more common. We sought to establish the results of acromioplasty and rotator cuff repair in golfers, including their ability to return to the sport.

STUDY TYPE: Case series.

METHODS

Of 30 golfers who underwent 32 rotator cuff repairs, 29 were interviewed, completed a detailed questionnaire, and returned for a physical examination. All of the patients were recreational or regional tournament golfers. Fifteen had open acromioplasty and rotator cuff repair and 16 had arthroscopic acromioplasty and mini-open repair. The average age at surgery was 60 years (range, 39 to 76 years). At surgery, most were moderate size tears (2 to 6 cm(2)).

RESULTS

At average follow-up of 37 months (range, 24 to 60 months), all but 3 patients are currently golfing. For patients who are currently golfing, there was no significant difference in handicaps or drive distances at most recent follow-up compared with presymptomatic handicaps and drive distances (P >.05). Twenty-three patients report that they are playing at their presymptomatic competitive level without pain. Three patients report playing at a lower competitive level than before.

CONCLUSION

In our experience, acromioplasty and rotator cuff repair predictably allow for eventual return to pain-free golfing at a similar competitive level for most recreational-level athletes.