A review of sport recovery after total knee replacement

The ability to come back to sport is becoming a common request among patients undergoing total knee replacement. Despite this kind of surgery may allow to fulfill this request, the potential negative effects of heavy activities on the implant are still debated. Moreover data in literature compare different populations and sports so that it is difficult to give definitive conclusions. Light activities have positive effect on general health status both in young and old patients after knee replacement. Movement improves cardiopulmonary efficiency and bone metabolism. Local muscle strengthening and exercise increase joint flexibility optimizing implant function. No negative effects are described with this kind of light activity, thus most of surgeons recommend cycling, walking and swimming after surgery. Heavy sports such as skiing and all contact sports have less positive effects on general health while they produce stress and loads on the implant. These may be dangerous since they raise the risk of polyethylene wearand further loosening of the implant and should be allowed with caution especially in young and heavy patients.