March 11, 2010

Banerjee M, Bouillon B, Banerjee C, Bäthis H, Lefering R,
Nardini M, Schmidt J.
Dreifaltigkeits-Krankenhaus and Cologne Merheim Medical
Center.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about sports activity after
total hip resurfacing.

HYPOTHESIS: Patients undergoing total hip resurfacing can
have a high level of sports activity. STUDY DESIGN: Case
series; Level of evidence, 4.

METHODS: The authors evaluated the level of sports activities with
a standardized
questionnaire in 138 consecutive patients (152 hips) 2 years
after total hip
resurfacing. Range of motion, Harris hip score, and Oxford
score were assessed, and radiological analysis was
performed.

RESULTS:  Preoperatively, 98% of all patients
participated in sports activities. Two years
postoperatively, 98% of the patients participated in at
least 1 sports activity. The level of sports activity
decreased after surgery. The number of sports activities per
patient decreased from 3.6 preoperatively to 3.2
postoperatively. Intermediate- and high-impact sports,
especially tennis, soccer, jogging, squash, and volleyball,
showed a significant decrease while the low-impact sports
(stationary cycling, Nordic walking, and fitness/weight
training) showed a significant increase. Physical activity
level at the time of follow-up as measured by the Grimby
scale was significantly higher than in the year before
surgery. Duration of sports participation per week increased
significantly after surgery. Men had a significantly higher
sport level than women before and after surgery. Eighty-two
percent felt no restriction while performing sports.
One-third missed certain sports activities such as jogging,
soccer, tennis, and downhill skiing. The Harris hip and
Oxford scores showed a significant increase postoperatively.

CONCLUSION: The results of this short-term follow-up
study show that sports
activity after total hip resurfacing surgery is still
possible. Physical activity
level increased with a shift toward low-impact sports.
Duration of sports
participation increased. High-impact sports activities
decreased. These findings
can be important for the decision-making process for hip
surgery and should be
communicated to the patient.