[Return to activity and return to sports after total knee replacement]

Area of Science:

• Orthopaedic surgery
• Biomechanics
• Sports medicine

Context:

• Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a common orthopaedic procedure with increasing patient numbers.
• Younger TKA patients have higher expectations for implant longevity and return-to-activity (RtA), including return-to-sports (RtS).
• Current recommendations for RtS after TKA are often based on surgeon experience due to a lack of systematic studies.

Purpose:

• To identify key factors influencing return-to-sports (RtS) after total knee arthroplasty (TKA).
• To provide evidence-based guidance for surgeons and patients regarding sports participation after TKA.

Summary:

• Return-to-sports (RtS) after TKA is possible, particularly for low-impact activities, but is highly individualized.
• Significant gaps exist in understanding the predictors of successful RtS following TKA.
• Standardized RtA/RtS assessments and long-term follow-up are lacking, hindering reliable conclusions.

Impact:

• This research aims to establish reliable conclusions on factors enabling RtS after TKA.
• Improved understanding will lead to better patient counseling and management strategies.
• Optimizing RtS can enhance patient satisfaction and functional recovery post-TKA.