Struggling with hip pain when you play golf? Get back into the swing with a hip replacement

London Bridge Hospital offers golfers hip replacement surgery

How you could regain your golf swing through the transformative process of a hip replacement.

This is an advertisement feature in association with HCA Healthcare UK. 

It’s no secret that as we age, joint issues can creep in to our day-to-day lives. Fitness becomes more valuable and maintaining it becomes more important. Whether you’re a casual golfer, or regularly compete in club tournaments, persistent hip pain can wreak havoc with the game we all love.  

Hip pain is one of the most common joint complaints experienced in general, and as our hips take so much strain during the weight transfer and turn in the golf swing, it’s no wonder that so many golfers turn to hip replacement surgery to get their active lifestyle back on track. 

Hip replacements have become one of the most common, and successful, orthopaedic procedures in modern medicine. They are known to help with arthritic conditions, bone fractures and other hip joint damage, and can provide much needed pain relief alongside a new lease of life for those who undergo them. 

What happens during a hip replacement? 

During a hip replacement procedure, the worn parts of a hip joint (including ball and cartilage) are removed and replaced with a prosthetic ball and hip socket. This allows for the natural motion of hip movement to be restored, reducing any friction and wear in comparison to the damaged joint. 

How invasive is a hip replacement? 

New minimally invasive techniques have been introduced, protecting the muscles around the hips much more than traditional approaches. This pioneering surgery allows a more rapid return to activities such as golf, and modern implants made from materials that mimic natural joints have the potential to last a lifetime. 

Advances in both surgery and post-operative rehabilitation have allowed recovery times to reduce in recent years, ensuring golfers can get back out on the course as quickly as possible.  

Best hip exercises for golfers 

Mr Hugh Apthorp, an orthopaedic surgeon based in London, has had the privilege of helping many golfers regain their swing through the transformative process of a hip replacement. Here are his top five tips to protect hip health when returning to golf post-surgery: 

• Warm Up Properly: Do some light cardio and dynamic stretches for your hips, groin, and lower back as a warm-up to reduce the risk of pulling any muscles on the course. 

• Maintain Good Posture: Keep a good posture during your swing, avoiding excessive lateral hip movement or hip sway during your backswing and follow-through. 

• Strengthen Your Core and Hip Muscles: Stronger muscles around the hip can provide better support and stability for your recovery. 

• Cool Down After Playing: Do cool-down stretches for your hips, groin, and lower back after playing to help maintain flexibility and reduce stiffness. 

• Follow Professional Advice: Stay in touch with your healthcare providers and follow their advice for a safe and effective recovery after any surgery. 

Mr Apthorp would encourage golfers with hip issues to seek a consultation with a specialist to consider their options sooner rather than late, before it impacts too much on the enjoyment of the game. “Taking control of the situation will mean more time spent on the course and getting back into the swing of things!” 

So, if chronic hip pain has been holding back your game, don’t resign yourself to life off the golf course just yet. A hip replacement, and commitment to rehabilitation, could be your route back to regaining your golf swing. 

Mr Hugh Apthorp is one of the UK’s foremost hip replacement surgeons and is based at London Bridge Hospital, which is part of HCA Healthcare UK. He has been a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon since 1999, after training at St. Bartholomew’s in London, and later in Perth, Australia.  

To find out more about the services that Mr Apthorp and HCA Healthcare UK provide, please visit: hcahealthcare.co.uk

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About the author

Sarah Pyett – Deputy Digital Editor

Sarah Pyett is the Deputy Digital Editor of todays-golfer.com. She specializes in ladies’ equipment reviews, including drivers, irons, and golf balls.

After a career in a golf professional shop, and earning a qualification in golf club management, Sarah joined Bauer in 2014 as a Web Producer for Today’s Golfer. She has since worked across multiple brands in a mixture of digital marketing and paid media roles, before returning to focus on golf full-time as Deputy Digital Editor in 2024.