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RETURNING TO SPORT AFTER TOTAL JOINT ARTHROPLASTY: A REVIEW. Karla Spicer
Purpose: To review the current literature on the ability to return to sporting activities following total joint replacement surgery. Methods: A computer search of Medline (1980-1999), The Cumulative Index to Nursing and Applied Health Literature (CINAHL) (1982-1999) and HealthStar (1980-1999) was performed using the keywords total joint arthroplasty, total knee arthroplasty, total hip arthroplasty, sports and physical function. Additional references were obtained from the articles found through the original search stategies. Results: From the 18 relevant articles reviewed, it was evident that most patients are advised to return to low-impact sports, but may suffer adverse effects such as prosthetic loosening with a return to more vigorous high-impact sports. Reports conflicted regarding whether there was an increase or decrease in activity levels after arthroplasty. Conclusions: After total hip or knee arthroplasty, participation in no-impact or low-impact sports should be encouraged, but participation in high-impact sports should be prohibited due to increased prosthetic failure rates. Further studies need to be done to determine suitability of returning to various sports based on patient characteristics. Clinical Relevance: Returning to previously enjoyed sporting activities is often a goal for many of these patients. While advising patients to return to higher activity levels should be recommended, caution must be adopted when choosing the type of sporting activity.