Degenerative joint disease (DJD), also known as osteoarthritis, can affect your ability to bend and twist normally. If golf is a part of your life, this can be especially concerning because this condition can affect the facet joints in the spine, which are crucial to your range of motion. When the cartilage in the facet joints wears away, vertebrae can rub directly against one another, causing inflammation, joint stiffness and possibly the formation of bone spurs. If a bone spur develops and puts pressure on a nerve root or the spinal cord, additional symptoms can include radiating pain, tingling, numbness and muscle weakness.

Important advice for golfers with DJD

Here are some helpful tips for golfers suffering from degenerative joint disease:

• Stretch. Spend five to 10 minutes loosening your arms, legs and back before you tee off or hit the driving range. This can help with your range of motion and reduce your chance of injury.
• Play smart. If you start to become fatigued, consider playing from a shorter distance to conserve energy. Also, try to avoid carrying your bag during a round.
• Equip yourself properly. Use lightweight clubs, and only put clubs you’re going to use in your bag. Also, tee your ball up higher when possible to avoid striking the ground.
• Alter your swing. Ending your swing at the three o’clock position can help reduce the likelihood of aggravating your back.

Nonsurgical treatments for degenerative joint disease

Fortunately, there are a variety of conservative and alternative treatments that may help reduce the severity of your symptoms so you can enjoy golf with fewer restrictions. Physical therapy, pain and anti-inflammatory medications, hot/cold therapy and regular stretching can help to reduce the strain on your spine. Lifestyle modifications, such as quitting tobacco use, losing excess weight and avoiding high-impact sports, can also help to slow the progression of degenerative joint disease. Additionally, some individuals find success from alternative therapies such as restorative yoga, chiropractic care, acupuncture and massage therapy.

If your symptoms persist after several months of attempting conservative and alternative treatments, minimally invasive surgery at USA Spine Care may be an option to consider. Our skilled surgeons can help you get back to your active life sooner than if you had to undergo traditional open back surgery. If you would like to find out if one of our minimally invasive procedures is an option for treating your degenerative disc disease, contact USA Spine Care today.

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