Factors affecting sports participation after total hip arthroplasty

The purpose of this study was to investigate the rate of return to sports after total hip arthroplasty (THA) in patients who regularly participate in sports and evaluate the factors that can affect the return to sports.

In total, 165 patients who had been continuously participating in sports prior to surgery were included from a total of 401 patients who underwent THA from 2015 to 2018. The mean follow-up was 3.3 (range, 2-6) years. Demographics, medical history, surgical parameters, functional outcomes, and anxiety about complications at the final follow-up were compared between the patients who participated in the same sports as before surgery (S group) and those who could not (N group).

The overall return to sports rate was 79% for 68 (41%) and 97 (59%) patients in the S and N groups, respectively. The most common sports that patients participated in post-operatively were walking (76 patients, 46%) and swimming (37 patients, 22%), followed by muscle training (25 patients, 15%). There were significant differences between the groups in the following patient factors: sex, primary disease, post-operative Japanese Orthopedic Association Hip-Disease Evaluation Questionnaire outcome, and anxiety about falls and dislocation. In the evaluation of factors affecting return to sports using logistic regression analysis, male sex (odds ratio 3.66, 95% confidence interval 1.13-11.19, p = 0.029) and anxiety of dislocation (odds ratio 3.42, 95% confidence interval 1.58-7.42, p < 0.01) were extracted as independent risk factors.

Careful patient guidance and rehabilitation, in addition to accurate surgical procedures, will improve patient participation in sports.