For years, the surgeons who replace knees have advised their patients to avoid high-impact sports like soccer, basketball and jogging. Now comes a study from the Mayo clinic whose results suggest not only that high-impact sports are not harmful, but that they may be good for knee replacement patients. ScienceDaily reports that the researchers evaluated outcomes of 218 patients between the ages of 18
and 90 who underwent primary knee arthroplasty at the Mayo Clinic and
reported performing heavy manual labor or practicing a non-recommended
sport following surgery. The disobedient “sport group” was matched a control group who underwent the same
procedure using an identical implant and followed recommended activity
guidelines. The journal reports that, seven-and-a-half years after surgery, the
study found:
- No significant radiological differences and no significant
differences in implant durability could be demonstrated between the
sport group and the control group; - The sport group showed slightly higher function
scores compared to the control group; - The control group experienced a 20 percent higher revision rate
for mechanical failure (loosening, wear or fracture) compared to the
sport group; - After accounting for all variables, including co-morbidities,
the sport group had a 10 percent higher risk of mechanical failure
compared to the control group.
Thanks for the article.
The info is very good and welcomed news.
The biggest problem with knee replacement is that they limit your range of movement significantly.
I wonder if artifical knees from Japan would offer a greater range of movement so as to accommodate the natural movements and life style of Japan, our way fo sitting and traditional arts such as Aikido?
namaste
My doctor told me that I could “run out the door if the house was on fire.” But that was it
I have been running since my replacement in 2004 (I think 2004) and when I last left my Dr, that was the last thing he wanted me to attempt…..I love this research!
I am confused about the last two statements in the article. How could the non-sport group have a 20% higher revision rate for mechanical failure but the sport group have a 10% higher mechanical failure? Maybe I am not reading it correctly?
I have been skiing for the last four years with my knee
replacement, and have had know problems. I just want to
keep doing it::