Return to Golf, Tennis, and Swimming After Elective Cervical Spine Surgery

Alexandra Richards,Naresh P Patel,Nan Zhang,Mark Lyons,Joseph Farnsworth,Matthew Neal,David Mauler,Nicolas C Rubel,Andrew Pines

doi:10.7759/cureus.9993

Abstract

BackgroundAfter surgery for degenerative cervical spine problems, most patients hope to return to non-competitive sports and other leisure activities. Limited data are available to counsel patients about return to play (RTP) in non-competitive sports after cervical surgery.MethodsParticipants had cervical surgery for degenerative diagnoses from April 1, 2007, to April 1, 2018. Demographic data were collected, and participants were asked to complete a survey regarding sports participation before and after cervical surgery. ResultsOf the 73 participants who responded to the study, the majority (81.1%) were able to return to one or multiple hobby sports after elective spine surgery. RTP rates at 12 months for golf, tennis, and swimming were 67.6%, 31.2%, and 81.6%, respectively. Younger age and lack of preoperative motor deficit were significant predictors of return to swimming after surgery. After surgery, 54.3% of golfers reported similar or improved levels of play. ConclusionsAfter elective cervical spine surgery, the majority of hobby athletes can expect to return to athletics. The majority of golfers returned to play with similar or improved frequency and quality of play compared to preoperative levels. Future prospective studies will further elucidate factors predicting RTP after different types of elective cervical surgeries.

Highlights

Background/rationalePatients undergo cervical spine surgery to address pain and other neurological symptoms
Of the 73 participants who responded to the study, the majority (81.1%) were able to return to one or multiple hobby sports after elective spine surgery
After elective cervical spine surgery, the majority of hobby athletes can expect to return to athletics

Summary

Introduction

Patients undergo cervical spine surgery to address pain and other neurological symptoms. After surgery for degenerative cervical spine problems, most patients hope to return to non-competitive sports and other leisure activities after surgery. There are general criteria for return to competitive sport play after spine surgery. There is consensus that postsurgical, competitive athletes, in particular those participating in contact or high-velocity sports, should be pain-free, be neurologically intact, have full strength, and have full range of motion prior to returning to competitive play [1,2,3]. After surgery for degenerative cervical spine problems, most patients hope to return to non-competitive sports and other leisure activities. Limited data are available to counsel patients about return to play (RTP) in non-competitive sports after cervical surgery

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