Is Activity Truly Improved Following Total Arthroplasty (TAA)?

Post-operative activity limitations is an important question for both patients following TAA. While several studies have quantified improvements in pain and function via patient-reported outcome measures, limited data exists regarding participation in specific activities following TAA.

In their retrospective clinical audit, Kovacs and colleagues examinedadult patients who underwent TAA between January 2014 and February 2023. At an average follow-up of 3.5 years, 82% of patients increased or maintained their level of physical activity following the procedure. Among the 22 activities surveyed, there was increased participation in aerobics/fitness, golf, cycling, and gardening, while participation in running and hiking remained unchanged. While further research is needed, these survey results demonstrate promising results regarding post-operative activity following TAA.