Activity after a total joint replacement

Activity after a total joint replacement

At a recent meeting of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons in Dallas, Texas  (November 3-4, 2007), a symposium on activity after joint replacement was convened. Several factors influence the function of joint replacement. These include trends that show the average age of the patient undergoing joint replacement has decreased over the last two decades. The life expectancy of these patients is therefore increasing. Body weight has increased over the last two decades with the majority of patients undergoing joint replacement, overweight or obese. During that time period implants have improved, fixation has become reliable and most likely long-term, but the weak link in the system is the bearing surface. Over time, bearings surfaces will wear and the modular junctions that attach the bearing to the joint can break down over time. All of these factors influence the durability of the joint replacement. Typically, walking places three times body weight across the joint, jogging is six times the body weight, and skiing nine times the body weight. All of these activities depend on the duration of the activity, the intensity, and how frequently the patient engages in these activities. While we can not absolutely prescribe the activity level of our patients, we do recommend using common sense in trying to balance quality of life with desire for long-term function of your joint replacement.

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0 Comments

  1. Jackie Bristol

    Dr.Barrett,
    Are you accepting patients for joint replacement surgery? If so if I have it done how long will I be away from work after the surgery? How long will the physical therapy last?
    Would you please send me some specific information? My address if needed is 15621 203rd PL SE, Renton,WA 98059. My cell phone number is 425-298-6027 if you need to talk to me.

    I know I am in the system with Dr. Cero but for something like this I would like the most experienced surgeon if available. Thanks.
    Jackie

  2. Dr. William Barrett

    Dear Jackie,
    Yes, I am accepting patients for joint replacement surgery. The time off work depends on the type of work you do. Typically people with a more sedentary job are off work approx. 4 weeks. Physical Therapy for Total Knee Replacement is approx. 4-6wks. My research assistant will be sending you more information about knee replacement via USPS. Thank you for responding to my blog.
    Regards,
    Bill Barrett

  3. Wade Bybee

    Dr Barrett,
    I justed want to drop you short note to let you know that I am back on the slopes skiing again. You replaced my left hip on July 24, and I did my first 1/2 day of skiing on Dec. 15. I have since been up an addtional three times, and the hip feels great. Thanks for the first pain free skiing season that I have had in years.

    Wade Bybee

  4. Dr. William Barrett

    Wade,
    Glad to hear your hip is functioning so well. As I said in the blog use common sense re: your activity level, be careful and don’t hit any snow boarders.
    Happy New Year.
    Bill Barrett

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    Dear Jackie,
    Yes, I am accepting patients for joint replacement surgery. The time off work depends on the type of work you do. Typically people with a more sedentary job are off work approx. 4 weeks. Physical Therapy for Total Knee Replacement is approx. 4-6wks. My research assistant will be sending you more information about knee replacement via USPS. Thank you for responding to my blog.
    Regards,
    Bill Barrett