ArticleCureus2026
High Return-to-Golf Rates and Satisfaction After Shoulder Arthroscopy and Arthroplasty: A Comparative Study.
Article in Cureus, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Background and objective Golf is a popular recreational activity among older adults, many of whom develop shoulder pathology requiring surgical intervention. Despite increasing interest in return-to-sport outcomes, comparative data on return to golf following shoulder arthroscopy versus shoulder arthroplasty remain limited. This study aims to compare return-to-golf outcomes, patient satisfaction, and functional recovery between patients undergoing shoulder arthroscopy and those undergoing shoulder arthroplasty. This is a retrospective cohort study and represents level III evidence. Methods A retrospective comparative study was performed on 71 recreational golfers, including 46 (64.8%) who underwent arthroscopy and 25 (35.2%) who underwent arthroplasty. Pre- and postoperative assessments included range of motion (ROM) and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). The PROMs included the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, visual analog scale (VAS), and subjective shoulder value (SSV). Golf-specific outcomes included return timelines, satisfaction, and performance. Paired t-tests assessed within-group changes, and independent t-tests evaluated between-group differences. Results Both groups demonstrated significant improvements in ASES, VAS, and SSV scores (all p < 0.001). Forward flexion and external rotation improved more in the arthroplasty group (p = 0.001 and p = 0.030), while internal rotation did not significantly improve in either group. The mean time to resume putting, chipping, and driving was 5.8 ± 3.1 months, 6.2 ± 3.0 months, and 7.4 ± 2.9 months, respectively, with no significant differences between groups (putting, p = 0.890; chipping, p = 0.894; driving, p = 0.990). At 12 months, 57 of 71 patients (80.3%) had returned to golf (p = 0.970), and 65 of 71 patients (91.5%) reported being satisfied or very satisfied. Conclusion Recreational golfers undergoing either shoulder arthroscopy or arthroplasty experience significant functional improvements and high return-to-golf rates. Surgical technique was not associated with differences in return timelines, satisfaction, or golf-specific performance. These findings may guide patient expectations and support shared decision-making in surgical planning.
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