March 2008
SAN FRANCISCO - A study indicates that having a metal-on-metal bearing
surface and performing high-impact activities preoperatively may be positive
predictors for participating in high-impact sports after total hip arthroplasty.
To determine which patients would participate in high-impact sports activity
following total hip arthroplasty (THA) and to examine the factors linked to
participation in these sports, David R. Marker, BS, and colleagues submitted
pre- and postoperative questionnaires to 303 THA patients who had a mean
follow-up of 3 years.
The investigators found that 30% of patients participated in at least one or
more high-impact sport postoperatively for an average of 4.3 hours per week.
A regression analysis revealed that a preoperative high activity level and
metal-on-metal bearing surface were the only statistically significant factors
to predict participation in high-impact sports postoperatively. Moreover, while
a comparison of patients participating in high- and low-impact sports revealed
similar preoperative Harris Hip Scores, the investigators discovered that the
high-impact sport participating patients had higher postop Harris Hip Scores.
"There are many patients participating in these high-impact sports, up to 30% in
our cohort," Marker said during his presentation at the American Academy of
Orthopaedic Surgeons 75th Annual Meeting, held here. "The preoperative
participation, as well as the metal bearing surface, were found to be predictive
of postoperative participation. We found [in] the short-term follow-up that the
high-impact sports patients had similar and better outcomes."
For more information:
Marker DR, Seyler TM, Ulrich SD, et al. High-impact sports after THA: Is the
bearing type and independent predictor of activity level? Paper #16. Presented
at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 75th Annual Meeting. March 5-9,
2008. San Francisco.