Sport advice given by Dutch orthopaedic surgeons to patients after a total hip arthroplasty or total knee arthroplasty.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:The advice given to patients in the Netherlands regarding sport activities after total hip arthroplasty or total knee arthroplasty (THA/TKA) is currently based on the opinion of the individual orthopaedic surgeon. AIM:To give an overview of the sport advice given by Dutch orthopaedic surgeons and to examine whether surgeons are familiar with the Dutch health-enhancing physical activity (PA) recommendations (NNGB). METHODS:472 surgeons were selected to fill in a questionnaire regarding 40 sport activities for four patient age groups (in years): 1) THA65, 3) TKA65. Surgeons were also asked if they discuss the role of PA postoperatively and about their knowledge and application of the NNGB. RESULTS:There was consensus on 29 sport activities for the THA65 group. In the TKA65 group for 32 activities. Amongst orthopaedic surgeons performing THAs and TKAs, respectively 77% and 79% discussed the role of PA postoperatively with their patients, and a total of 34% and 41% were familiar with the NNGB, with 33% and 34% of them giving NNGB-based advice. CONCLUSION:Results can be used to recommend sport activities after THA/TKA. Although the majority of orthopaedic surgeons discuss the role of PA postoperatively with their patients, familiarity with health-enhancing PA recommendations is lacking.