Kristy McPherson Arthritis: Her Story, Golf Career & What Athletes Can Learn

For professional athletes, losing the ability to walk can completely change the direction of a career before it has even begun. That was the reality Kristy McPherson faced as a child.

Before becoming an LPGA professional golfer, McPherson was an active child who enjoyed sports such as basketball and softball. At age 11, however, she developed a serious illness that left her unable to walk and eventually led to a diagnosis of Still’s Disease, described by McPherson and contemporary reports as a form of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

Her story is particularly interesting because golf was not initially the sport she imagined pursuing. McPherson has explained that her illness ultimately led her toward golf after she had been forced to step away from the sports she played as a child

Today, her story provides a useful opportunity to understand something much bigger than one athlete’s career: how arthritis can affect movement, physical activity and participation in sport, particularly when it begins during childhood.

It is also important to separate McPherson’s documented medical history from what research tells us about arthritis more generally. Her experience does not mean that every person with juvenile arthritis will have the same symptoms, limitations or athletic journey.

What Happened to Kristy McPherson?

Kristy McPherson grew up in South Carolina and was an active child who enjoyed playing sports.

In an interview with Golf Digest, McPherson recalled that she enjoyed basketball and softball before becoming seriously ill at age 11. She described being unable to participate in the activities she previously enjoyed and spending months in bed.

In another interview, McPherson explained that the illness began when she was 11 and that she spent approximately five or six months going in and out of hospital, followed by a lengthy period of being bedridden and undergoing therapy. She said she was eventually diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

Contemporary reporting from Golf Digest described the diagnosis as Still’s Disease, a form of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and noted that the condition had significantly affected her ability to walk.

The important point is that this was not simply a sports injury.

McPherson’s experience involved a childhood inflammatory disease that affected her ability to move and participate in the sports she loved.

That distinction matters when discussing arthritis in athletes.

What Is Juvenile Arthritis?

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) refers to inflammatory arthritis that begins during childhood.

According to a recent review published in Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, JIA is the most common rheumatic disease of childhood and can affect children younger than 16.

The condition is different from the ordinary wear-and-tear arthritis that people often associate with ageing.

Inflammation can affect joints and may be associated with:

• Joint pain
• Swelling
• Stiffness
• Reduced range of motion
• Reduced physical activity
• Muscle weakness
• Difficulty participating in certain activities

However, symptoms and severity can vary considerably between individuals.

This is why a diagnosis of juvenile arthritis should not automatically be interpreted as meaning that a child cannot participate in sport.

In fact, research has increasingly examined how physical activity can be incorporated into the management and rehabilitation of young people with JIA.

How Did Arthritis Change Kristy McPherson’s Sporting Path?

McPherson’s story demonstrates how a serious childhood illness can change an athlete’s relationship with sport.

Before her illness, basketball and softball were among the sports she enjoyed. She later found golf and eventually built a professional career in the sport.

McPherson has described the experience as ultimately leading her toward a sport she might not otherwise have pursued.

That does not mean golf is inherently better for people with arthritis, nor does it mean someone with arthritis should change sports without professional advice.

Instead, her story illustrates an important principle:

A diagnosis does not necessarily eliminate the possibility of physical activity or sport.

The appropriate activity depends on the individual’s symptoms, disease activity, physical capacity, treatment plan and medical guidance.

Can People With Arthritis Participate in Sport?

In many cases, yes.

Current research supports physical activity for children and adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis, although researchers acknowledge that there is still limited evidence for exactly how sports participation should be structured for every individual

A review examining juvenile arthritis and athletic participation noted that subtle biomechanical and neuromuscular deficits can sometimes affect movement and potentially increase stress on affected joints. It also emphasized the importance of multidisciplinary care involving areas such as rheumatology, physical therapy and sports medicine when preparing young people to return to sport

This means the goal is not simply:

“Stop exercising.”

Instead, the question is often:

“How can physical activity be performed safely and appropriately for this individual?”

That distinction is particularly important for young athletes.

What Does Research Say About Exercise and Juvenile Arthritis?

Research into exercise and JIA has produced encouraging findings, although it is not strong enough to support one universal exercise prescription.

A 2019 systematic review examined nine studies involving 457 children and adolescents with JIA. The review found moderate-quality evidence supporting some forms of structured exercise, including Pilates and underwater resistance exercise, while emphasizing the limitations of the available evidence.

Another systematic review and meta-analysis published in 2024 evaluated randomized controlled trials involving exercise in people with JIA. It found that exercise was associated with a reduction in pain scores, although the evidence quality varied and further research was recommended.

A separate systematic review found that exercise interventions were generally well tolerated and could improve clinically relevant outcomes such as activity capacity, physical function and some aspects of quality of life.

The overall message is therefore more nuanced than simply saying exercise is good or bad.

The type, intensity and timing of activity matter.

Can Arthritis Affect Movement and Posture?

Yes, arthritis can affect movement, particularly when pain, stiffness, swelling or reduced joint mobility are present.

For someone experiencing joint discomfort, movement patterns may change.

For example, a person may naturally:

• Reduce movement through a painful joint
• Change how they distribute weight
• Avoid certain positions
• Move more slowly
• Reduce their overall activity
• Develop compensatory movement patterns

But this does not mean that arthritis automatically causes spinal misalignment, back pain or another specific condition.

Those relationships need to be assessed individually.

Research into athletic participation in JIA has highlighted the importance of evaluating biomechanics and neuromuscular control rather than assuming that all athletes with arthritis move in the same way.

For athletes, this can be especially relevant because sport repeatedly exposes the body to specific movement patterns.

Can Arthritis Cause Back or Neck Pain?

Arthritis can involve different joints and structures, depending on the specific condition.

However, it would be incorrect to take Kristy McPherson’s childhood arthritis diagnosis and conclude that she therefore had a specific spinal condition.

There is no reliable public evidence establishing that McPherson’s arthritis caused a particular back or neck condition.

For other people, persistent back or neck pain may have many possible causes, including muscular strain, joint dysfunction, disc problems, posture-related factors or other medical conditions.

If you are experiencing back and neck pain, the underlying cause needs to be assessed rather than assumed. Similarly, symptoms such as persistent neck pain can have different causes and should not automatically be attributed to arthritis.

What About Arthritis and Golf?

Golf is an interesting sport when discussing arthritis because it involves repeated rotation, weight transfer and controlled movement through the trunk and limbs.

The golf swing requires coordinated movement through the hips, pelvis, spine, shoulders and arms.

That does not mean golf causes arthritis.

Nor does it mean that golf is automatically appropriate or inappropriate for someone with arthritis.

The individual’s symptoms, joint involvement, mobility and ability to tolerate the demands of the swing are more important than the label of the sport itself.

For a golfer experiencing persistent discomfort, understanding the difference between ordinary post-exercise soreness and ongoing musculoskeletal symptoms is important.

Persistent symptoms may warrant professional assessment rather than simply changing technique or playing through pain.

What Can Athletes Learn From Kristy McPherson’s Story?

One of the most important lessons from McPherson’s story is that an athlete’s relationship with sport can change dramatically following a health problem.

She did not simply return to exactly the same sporting path she had before becoming ill.

Instead, she found another sport and eventually reached the LPGA Tour. The LPGA currently lists McPherson as a player who joined the tour in 2007 and has recorded 17 career top-10 finishes.

Her story highlights several broader lessons.

1. Symptoms should not simply be ignored

Persistent joint pain, swelling, stiffness or difficulty walking deserve appropriate medical attention, particularly in children.

2. Returning to activity may require adaptation

An athlete may need to modify training, intensity, technique or the type of sport depending on their individual circumstances.

3. Movement matters

Avoiding all physical activity is not automatically the best approach for people with arthritis.

Research supports appropriately structured physical activity for many young people with JIA.

4. Rehabilitation can be multidisciplinary

JIA can require input from rheumatology, physical therapy, sports medicine and other healthcare professionals depending on the person’s needs.

5. Every athlete is different

Kristy McPherson’s experience should not be used as a template for every person with arthritis.

Her diagnosis, treatment and sporting journey are specific to her.

Previous Health Challenges in Kristy McPherson’s Story

McPherson’s childhood illness is central to her story because it occurred at a time when she was highly active.

In interviews, she has explained that she was involved in basketball and softball before the illness and that the experience ultimately changed the direction of her sporting life.

Golf subsequently became the sport through which she built her professional career.

The LPGA records her as a professional who first joined the Tour in 2007.

More recently, McPherson has remained involved in professional golf beyond her playing career. LPGA materials for the 2026 U.S. Solheim Cup identify her as an assistant captain for the U.S. team.

That makes her story particularly relevant when discussing the long-term relationship between health, movement and athletic participation.

How Can Arthritis Be Managed?

Management depends on the type of arthritis, the person’s age, symptoms, disease activity and overall health.

For juvenile idiopathic arthritis, treatment may involve medical management alongside physical activity and rehabilitation.

The goal is generally not to “push through” pain.

Instead, healthcare professionals may consider:

• Disease control
• Joint mobility
• Muscle strength
• Physical function
• Pain levels
• Fitness
• Activity tolerance
• Return-to-sport requirements

Research suggests that structured exercise can be beneficial for young people with JIA, but exercise programs should be appropriately adapted to the individual.

Can Chiropractic Care Help Someone With Arthritis?

Chiropractic care should not be presented as a cure for arthritis.

It also should not replace rheumatology, medical management, physiotherapy or other appropriate treatment.

For someone experiencing musculoskeletal symptoms alongside an arthritis diagnosis, chiropractic care may form part of a broader care plan when appropriate following an individual assessment.

Depending on the presentation, care may focus on areas such as:

• Joint mobility
• Musculoskeletal function
• Soft-tissue tension
• Movement patterns
• Postural factors
• Activity-related discomfort

The appropriate approach depends on the individual’s condition.

For example, someone asking what a chiropractor can do should understand that the first step is assessment rather than assuming a particular treatment is appropriate.

Likewise, osteopath vs chiropractor is not simply a question of which profession is “better.” The relevant consideration is what the individual needs and which healthcare professional is appropriate for that presentation.

When Should an Athlete With Joint Pain Be Assessed?

Athletes should consider professional assessment when symptoms are persistent, recurrent or interfering with normal movement.

Important symptoms can include:

• Persistent joint swelling
• Significant or recurring pain
• Unexplained stiffness
• Difficulty walking
• Reduced range of motion
• Weakness
• Numbness or tingling
• Symptoms that progressively worsen
• Pain that repeatedly interferes with sport

For symptoms involving the spine, persistent lower back pain radiating to the leg or neurological symptoms should be properly assessed rather than assumed to be ordinary sports soreness. Likewise, someone experiencing neck pain and dizziness should not automatically assume that the symptoms are caused by posture or muscle tension.

Back Pain and Arthritis: Why Individual Assessment Matters

One of the biggest mistakes in sports-health content is assuming that one diagnosis explains every symptom.

Arthritis does not automatically mean:

• A slipped disc
• Sciatica
• Chronic back pain
• Poor posture
• Spinal misalignment
• Nerve compression

These are separate clinical issues that can coexist in some people but should not be assumed to be connected.

For example, someone researching herniated disc treatment needs information specific to disc pathology rather than general arthritis advice. Similarly, degenerative disc changes in the lower back are not interchangeable with inflammatory arthritis.

This distinction is especially important when discussing athletes because training-related soreness, joint inflammation, mechanical pain and neurological symptoms can present differently.

What Does Kristy McPherson’s Story Teach Us About Arthritis and Sport?

Kristy McPherson’s story is not simply a story about an athlete overcoming an illness.

It demonstrates how dramatically a childhood health condition can change someone’s relationship with movement and sport.

She went from being a child who enjoyed basketball and softball to spending months unable to walk. She was subsequently diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and eventually found a new sporting path through golf.

The medical lesson is equally important.

Arthritis does not automatically mean an athlete has to abandon physical activity.

Modern research supports appropriately structured exercise and physical activity for many young people with JIA, although the exact approach should be individualized.

For athletes and parents, the priority should therefore be appropriate assessment, disease management, gradual conditioning and safe participation, rather than simply avoiding movement.

Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Care in Toowoomba

For people in Toowoomba experiencing musculoskeletal pain or movement-related symptoms, an appropriate assessment can help determine whether the problem is likely to be mechanical or whether further medical evaluation is required.

At Wave Chiropractic & Wellness, care is individualized rather than based solely on a diagnosis or a person’s sporting background.

Depending on the assessment, chiropractic care may include chiropractic adjustments, spinal manipulation, soft tissue therapy and postural correction.

The goal is not to claim that chiropractic care treats inflammatory arthritis itself.

Instead, where appropriate, chiropractic care can form part of a broader approach to managing musculoskeletal symptoms and supporting mobility.

If someone has a diagnosed inflammatory condition such as juvenile idiopathic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or another systemic disease, coordination with their medical team remains important.

For people experiencing symptoms such as neck and shoulder pain, hip pain or persistent back discomfort, the appropriate treatment depends on the findings of an individual assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of arthritis did Kristy McPherson have?

McPherson has publicly described being diagnosed at age 11 with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, while contemporary reporting described the condition as Still’s Disease, a form of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

How old was Kristy McPherson when she was diagnosed with arthritis?

She was 11 years old, according to her own accounts and reporting about her childhood illness.

Could Kristy McPherson walk when she was sick?

McPherson has described being unable to walk during her illness and spending an extended period bedridden and undergoing therapy.

Did arthritis end Kristy McPherson’s sports career?

No. Her childhood illness changed her sporting path, but she later took up golf and became an LPGA professional.

Can children with juvenile arthritis play sports?

Many children with JIA can participate in physical activity and sport, although activity should be appropriately adapted to the individual’s condition and medical needs. Research supports physical activity but notes that more evidence is needed regarding optimal sports participation strategies.

Is exercise safe for people with juvenile arthritis?

Research suggests that appropriately structured exercise can be well tolerated and may provide benefits for physical function and pain in people with JIA. The appropriate program depends on the individual.

Can arthritis cause back pain?

Arthritis can affect different joints and structures, but a diagnosis of arthritis should not automatically be assumed to be the cause of someone’s back pain. Persistent back symptoms should be individually assessed.

Can chiropractic care cure arthritis?

No. Chiropractic care should not be presented as a cure for inflammatory arthritis. It may, where appropriate, form part of broader musculoskeletal care for related symptoms following an individual assessment.

Should an athlete stop exercising if they have arthritis?

Not necessarily. Current research supports appropriately structured physical activity for many people with juvenile arthritis, but exercise intensity and type should be individualized.

What can athletes learn from Kristy McPherson?

Her story shows that a significant childhood health condition can change an athlete’s sporting path without necessarily ending participation in sport. It also highlights the importance of medical care, rehabilitation and finding an appropriate way to remain physically active.

References

1. LPGA — Kristy McPherson profile and career information LPGA
2. Golf Digest — Interview with Kristy McPherson Golf Digest
3. ASAP Sports — Kristy McPherson interview discussing her diagnosis and childhood illness ASAP Sports
4. PubMed — Physical Activity and Sports for Children With Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis PubMed
5. LPGA — 2025/2026 Solheim Cup notes mentioning McPherson’s assistant-captain role Media