High-Impact Sports After Total Knee Arthroplasty

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Abstract

Many patients will attempt high-impact loading activities after total knee arthroplasty. This study analyzed the clinical and radiographic results of these high-demand sports patients. A total of 31 patients (33 knees) were identified who participated in high-impact sports on average 4 times per week (range, 1-7 times per week) for a mean of 3.5 hours per week (range, 1 to 10 hours), including jogging, downhill skiing, singles tennis, racquetball, squash, and basketball. At 4 years mean follow-up (range, 2-9 years), 32 of 33 knees had successful clinical and radiographic outcomes. Overall satisfaction was a mean of 9.1 points on a scale of 0 to 10 points. These results indicate that some patients will participate in high-impact sports and enjoy excellent clinical outcomes at a minimum 4 years after surgery.

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Materials and Methods

Utilizing an objective weighted activity questionnaire [7], we collected information regarding sports activities on consecutively treated patients at 3 institutions. The patients who participated regularly in high-impact sports were identified in this study for clinical and radiographic evaluation. This report encompassed 33 knees in 31 patients, who represented approximately 4% of the knee arthroplasties performed at the 3 institutions during the period that was studied (January 1, 1997, to

Results

Patients who participated in high-impact sports demonstrated excellent clinical outcomes. The mean Knee Society objective score was 92 points (range, 80-100 points). Similarly, the Knee Society functional score had a mean of 93 points (range, 82-100 points). At final follow-up, mean overall satisfaction was 9.1 points (range, 7-10 points). Of the 33 patients, 32 were considered to have good or excellent clinical outcomes based on Knee Society scores of greater than 80 points and no indications

Discussion

High-impact activities are not appropriate for most patients after total knee arthroplasty. However, the results of the present study indicate that some patients will participate in high-impact sports, such as jogging, downhill skiing, and singles tennis, and can enjoy excellent clinical outcomes during the first 4 years after surgery. As increasing numbers of patients seek to return to sports after surgery, it is important that surgeons work closely with patients to provide individualized

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No benefits or funds were received in support of the study.

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