Common Questions and Answers

There have been many studies reviewing activities that may be performed after a joint replacement. Some studies have suggested that you may return to activities such as doubles tennis but not singles tennis, due to the amount of running involved. The truth is, return to sport and function will be different for everyone. It will depend on your weight, your strength and how familiar you are with the activity. Here are some general suggestions... Try to avoid high impact activities as this will cause your joint replacement to wear out sooner. Running and jumping after a joint replacement are generally not suggested. Activities such as skiing and non contact hockey can be resumed after proper rehab however you put yourself at a higher risk for fracture and early wear. Many of my patients still find it worth the risk but some do not! There are MANY low impact activies that can help you maintain strength and improve fitness that are perfect for after a joint replacement. Light to moderate weight lifting, golfing, hiking and swimming are all excellent ways to stay in shape and build muscle. These can (and should) be resumed when you are strong enough to do them safely. Keeping strong muscles and keeping your weight down are vital for the survival and function of your joint replacement.

Achieve and maintain a normal weight! Excess weight (or a high BMI) puts excessive force through the hip and knee and can cause pain and dysfunction and will lead to early wear and/or loosening of the components. Excess weight also increases your risk of infection in the joint replacement and if you get an infection in the joint replacement it is a terrible complication! Finally, maintaining a normal weight is very important not only for your joint replacement but also for you overall health.