Athletic Participation After Hip and Knee Arthroplasty (Report‪)‬

The indications for hip and knee arthroplasty are expanding to include younger and more active patients. Several epidemiologic studies have produced data that show individuals who participate in athletics are at greater risk for developing osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip and knee. (1-5) Many of these active patients expect to continue to participate in athletic activities following joint replacement surgery. "Direct to consumer" advertisements using athletes to market joint replacement implants, further perpetuates the concept that sporting activities are possible following joint arthroplasty. Surgeons treating these patients must be aware of the literature regarding athletic participation after arthroplasty so that they may appropriately counsel their patients. The purpose of this article is to review the experience of athletic participation after hip and knee arthroplasty, with emphasis on patient participation in athletics and the impact of athletic participation on arthroplasty outcomes, as well as to establish guidelines to assist surgeons in counseling post-arthroplasty patients regarding participation. Activity After Hip and Knee Arthroplasty