Information for Medical Professionals

High impact sport has no effect on knee arthroplasty component life

Participation in non-recommended, high-impact sports following total knee arthroplasty has no impact on implant durability, it has been claimed.

According to new research presented at the 2010 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, component durability after 7.5 years was the same in patients who did low-impact or no sports activity as those who took part in more aggressive sports.

Sebastian Parratte, lead researcher behind the new study was reported by Ortho Supersite as saying: "This [study] is not enough to encourage impact sports in our patients.

"However, maybe we can reassure our patients who are practicing this type of activity."

The team of surgeons looked at 1,206 patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty. Of these 218 said that they participated in high-impact sports following the procedure.

They compared these patients with 317 members of a cohort study that did little or no exercise following surgery.

Initially, the researchers found a higher mechanical failure and revision rate for those in the high-impact group, but this difference was negated when other factors were taken into account.

Recently, Lynn Love, director of operations at the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society, said that regular exercise can help to reduce perceived osteoarthritis pain in the knees.

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