Can I play sport after hip and knee replacement surgery?

As a group, we would strongly support you returning to sports after your joint replacement recovery is complete. There are some concerns, but on the whole we want you to be as active as possible. The concerns we have are around dislocation, joint wear and loosening – all of which could increase the need for you to have a further operation. However, we know that with modern day surgical techniques and implants, the risks are very small. Repeated high impact loads will tend to increase the chances of your joint wearing out or coming loose, but most exercise regimes do not involve this. The implants we use are all tried and trusted, with excellent track records in all patients, even those who are young and/or extremely active in the years post operation. It is not possible to discuss every sport in detail, but there are some general rules.

Can I run after my operation?

There is a difference between running to keep fit, either on a track or on the pavements, and running after a tennis ball or indeed away from a lion!! We do not advise running as a form of exercise to keep fit as this places a lot of strain on the fixation of your new joint. There are many ways of keeping aerobically fit which do not involve running such as cycling, swimming, x-trainer, exercise bike and rowing machine. All of these are fine.

You will be able to run after your operation and you may choose to if running is what maintains your peace of mind. Just be aware that this will increase the odds of the joint failing and needing to be replaced once again in the. Running 5k once a week is not as much of a concern as running marathons, but on the whole we counsel against running as a main form of training.

What can I do in the gym?

The simple answer is just about everything. We would suggest avoiding the vibration plate and deep squats with heavy weights on your back. With a sensible return to gym programme and an experienced trainer, most other activities would be fine. We would put STEP aerobics in the same category as running, but Pilates and yoga would be great for your core strength, balance, fitness and peace of mind.

Racket Sports?

After 2- 3 months you will be ready to get back onto the tennis court, starting with gentle ½ court rallies and extending back on the court as your skills and fitness return. It is important to go carefully as an attack of tennis elbow is the last thing you need at this time! In time you will get back to doubles and even singles. Playing matches and returning to league matches will depend on your pre-operation ability and motivation. We cannot guarantee you playing at Wimbledon if you couldn’t get a serve in before your surgery!

Squash and badminton are more of a stress to your replaced joint than tennis. If you were able to play these sports prior to surgery, then by all means return, but perhaps they are not the sports to take up following your joint replacement.

Can I swim breast-stroke?

If you could before your operation, yes.

Play golf?

Regarded by some to be the best way to ruin a walk in the countryside, many of our patients are keen golfers and we would be very keen to get you back to this during your recovery. Again, starting slowly, in combination with a fitness/core stability programme and perhaps with a lesson or two added in you would hopefully back on the course at 3 months, but on the range a little sooner.

What about contact sports?

On the whole patients have given up their football, rugby etc by the time they come to joint replacement. We do not see many patients return to contact sports after surgery and think this is sensible. Rapid change of direction, uncontrolled tackles by others and the straining to score/save a score may all put your joint under threat. You can play gentle 5-a-side football, walking football and sensible touch rugby, however. We do not consider netball or hockey to be contact sports and would encourage you to return to these if you wanted to.

In Summary….

We would encourage you to return to any sport you were able to play before surgery, perhaps with the avoidance of running and contact sports. By all means take up a new sport as you feel fitter and stronger, but maybe not high impact or squash/badminton.

Always bear in mind the importance of fitness and core stability as you recover. We do not want you getting another injury and your new joint will function better as you re-train the rest of your body.

Exercise will make you feel better, enjoy life more, socialise more often and contribute to you feeling satisfied with the results of your surgery. The pre-hab that you do before your operation with help with return to sport afterwards.

As a group of surgeons we hope to see you smiling, pain free and getting more active in the weeks after your operation and would love to see photos of you in action!!

About the Author

Mr Philip Mitchell is a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon who specialises in hip and knee replacement. He is one of top 10 replacement surgeons in the UK, as voted by his peers. View his weekly clinics to book an appointment.