Sexual activity after short-stem total hip arthroplasty. Does stem size matter?

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic surgery
• Rehabilitation medicine
• Sexual health

Background:

• Sexual activity is integral to quality of life.
• Impact of total hip arthroplasty (THA) stem design on sexual activity and quality of sex life remains unexamined.
• Understanding factors influencing return to sexual activity (RTS) post-THA is crucial for patient recovery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the influence of short-stem versus straight-stem THA on the time to return to sexual activity.
• To identify patient-specific factors associated with delayed return to sexual activity after THA.
• To assess the impact of THA on the quality of sexual activity.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort study involving 273 working-age patients undergoing THA.
• Patients were divided into short-stem (n=176) and straight-stem (n=97) groups.
• A questionnaire assessed preoperative/postoperative sexual habits, joint awareness, and physical activity.

Main Results:

• No significant difference in time to return to sexual activity between short-stem and straight-stem THA groups (6 weeks for both).
• Higher BMI, female gender, and lower joint awareness (FJS-12 score) were significantly associated with delayed RTS.
• Improved hip mobility and reduced pain were key factors for enhanced sexual activity quality post-surgery.

Conclusions:

• THA stem design does not impact the time to resume sexual activity in patients under 65.
• Female, obese patients with higher joint awareness face increased risk of delayed RTS.
• Focus on improving hip function and pain management is vital for optimizing sexual activity post-THA.