Return to work and sports after total hip replacement

Abstract

Introduction: Expectations of patients requiring total hip replacement have become higher than in the past and are often well beyond pain relief and improved mobility. Return to work and sporting activity are important factors to be considered when advising patients preoperatively. The objective of this study was to analyse the return to sports and work rates in patients still in employment and to analyse potential influencing factors.

Materials and methods: Patients under the age of 65 who had a total hip replacement performed at a university teaching hospital were identified from the local arthroplasty database and contacted. Pre and postoperative levels of sporting activity and work were recorded. We also recorded the time point at which they returned to these activities.

Results: 285 total hip replacements were carried out on 239 patients. At the time of follow-up 170 of the patients were working. The mean length of time to return to work was 13.9 weeks (SD 7.7). 78 % returned to work without any restrictions, 18.6 % in heavy manual jobs. The mean time taken to return to sports or similar physical activities was 18.8 weeks (SD 8.8) weeks. Those with a lower body mass index returned to work and sporting activities faster.

Conclusions: Our data show that the majority of patients undergoing total hip replacement can expect to return to work and sporting activities within 4-6 months. Activities at work are often initially limited and physical performance may not fully return to the expected level. Patients with a high body mass index take longer to return to work and sporting activities.