Playing Golf After Spinal Stenosis Surgery

Lumbar spinal stenosis is a relatively common problem among people in the over 65 age group, and a very common reason for surgery.

For active senior citizens, leg pain and other symptoms from lumbar spinal stenosis can affect their ability to enjoy and participate in activities such as golf. With time they may find that they can no longer walk 18 holes and eventually cannot even get around for 9 holes. Using a cart may become the only way they can golf. Rarely, the sciatic pain may be constant enough that golfing even with a cart is not feasible.

For patients who undergo spinal stenosis surgery, many will ask if they will be able to resume golfing. The answer for many is yes, but there are a number of considerations to keep in mind.

Here is the advice that Stephen Hochschuler, MD, orthopedic spine surgeon at Texas Back Institute gives his patients who are having surgery for spinal stenosis:

• "First, recognize that golfing is not really the best thing for your low back. The golf swing imparts a tremendous amount of stress to the lumbar spine. If you are going to return to golf, be willing to accept that there is some risk of injury to the low back.
• When you hit the ball, hit it with about 50 to 75% of the force you would normally use.
• Use a back support. This has several benefits: it is a good reminder that you have a back problem; it will keep your lower back warm, which helps keep the muscles and soft tissues loose; and it limits the motion of your low back a little. You can tighten it when you address the ball, and loosen it when you are not playing.
• If you can take ibuprofen, take it (e.g. Advil) about half hour before playing.
• Be sure to warm up carefully and thoroughly with gentle stretching.
• If at all possible, consider switching your swing to the 'natural golf' method, as this will reduce stress on your low back”

Finally, most doctors stress that if your leg pain or other symptoms flare up, take a break from golf for at least a few weeks and return to gentle strengthening and stretching exercises.

The specific patient’s overall health and the type of stenosis surgery being performed will also dictate to some extent if and when an individual can return to golf, so it is important to discuss your individual situation with your doctor.

By: Stephanie Burke

Additional Reading:

Spinal Stenosis Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment