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Florian-D. Naal, MD*, Nicola A.
Maffiuletti, PhD, Urs Munzinger, MD and Otmar Hersche, MD

From the Joint Center, Schulthess Clinic, Zurich,
Switzerland

Published on May 1, 2007

Background: No information is available concerning patients’
sports activity after hip resurfacing arthroplasty.

Hypothesis: Patients treated by hip resurfacing arthroplasty
will be able to achieve a high level of sports activity.

Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods: We surveyed 112 patients by postal questionnaire to
determine their sporting activities at a mean of 23.5
(range, 9–40) months after hip resurfacing surgery. Data
were also analyzed separately for older and younger patients
and women and men, respectively.

Results: Of 112 patients, 110 participated in an average of
4.6 sport disciplines after surgery, compared with 105
patients pre-operatively engaged in an average of 4.8
disciplines. About 26% performed sports 4 times per week or
more—almost 60% for longer than 60 min at each session. A
high proportion of our patients were still engaged in
downhill skiing (51%) and in high-impact disciplines such as
tennis (12%) or contact sports (22%). More than 50% of the
patients commenced sports within the first 3 months after
surgery. During activities, 70% were completely pain-free.
The group of older patients (mean age, 60.2 years)
participated in more different disciplines with a higher
weekly frequency and longer session length than younger
patients (mean age, 46.4 years).

Conclusion: The present study reports for the first time on
the detailed sports activity and activity extent after hip
resurfacing arthroplasty. Our patients could return to a
high level of sports participation after surgery.
Age-related differences were found that have not yet been
published. Nevertheless, further follow-up is necessary to
assess the influence of high-level activity on loosening and
revision rates after hip resurfacing arthroplasty.