Physical activity after total joint arthroplasty: a narrative review

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Public Health

Background:

• Total joint arthroplasty (TJA) is a common surgery for hip and knee osteoarthritis, improving quality of life.
• The impact of TJA on post-surgical physical activity (PA) levels remains unclear.
• TJA alone may not be sufficient to increase patient PA; interventions might be necessary.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review evidence on whether TJAs alter PA participation from pre- to post-surgery.
• To assess the effectiveness of exercise/behavioral interventions in promoting PA in TJA patients.

Main Methods:

• Narrative review of existing studies.
• Analysis of PA changes before and after TJA.
• Evaluation of interventions aimed at increasing PA in TJA patients.

Main Results:

• PA generally does not change within 3 months post-TJA.
• Evidence on PA changes between 3 and 12 months post-TJA is contradictory.
• Limited evidence suggests potential PA increase beyond 12 months, but studies are challenged by variability.
• Few studies investigated exercise/behavioral interventions for PA promotion in TJA patients.

Conclusions:

• TJA can alleviate pain and present an opportunity for increased PA.
• Current evidence is insufficient to definitively conclude if TJA alone increases post-surgical PA.
• Further large-scale studies are required to ascertain the effect of TJA on PA.