TARGETING: KNEE 

Minerva Ortopedica e Traumatologica 2014 April;65(2):141-61

Copyright © 2014 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Sports activities after knee arthroplasty: a systematic review

Lützner C., Kirschner S., Beyer F., Lützner J. ✉

Department of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, TU Dresden, Germany

A relevant number of patients expect participation in sports activities after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Fulfilment of these expectations has been correlated to patient satisfaction after TKA. The ability to attend sporting activities therefore seems to play a role in enhancing patient satisfaction, especially for younger patients. Younger and more active patients have a significantly higher revision rate. Therefore, besides its well-documented positive effects on general health, participation in sports activities after knee arthroplasty might be associated with an increased risk of premature loosening. Advantages and risks of sports activities should therefore be balanced when counselling patients regarding activity after knee arthroplasty. This systematic review was performed to survey the evidence on sports activities after unicondylar and TKA and summarize available recommendations. Overall, the level of evidence regarding sports activities after knee arthroplasty is only moderate. Low to moderate impact sports have been recommended while high impact activities should not be performed after TKA.