High rate of return to low-impact physical activity or sports after total and unicompartmental knee arthroplasty: A systematic review with meta-analysis.
Rodrigo Braz, Eluana Gomes, Cristina Valente et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesised evidence on return to physical activity or sports after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). Across 45 studies involving 14,498 knees, the pooled return rate was 85.2% (95% CI: 76.8%-92.1%), with return occurring within a median of 4.1 months. Return was less likely after TKA than UKA (OR = 0.31, 95% CI: 0.12-0.82). High-impact sports participation commonly declined, often because of precautionary behaviour. Certainty of evidence across outcomes was rated very low.
Key findings
- The pooled return rate to physical activity or sports was 85.2% (95% CI: 76.8%-92.1%), within a median of 4.1 months.
- Return to physical activity or sports was less likely after TKA than UKA (OR = 0.31, 95% CI: 0.12-0.82).
- Participation in high-impact sports declined; precautionary behaviour was the most commonly cited reason.
- Reported satisfaction rates ranged from 61% to 100%, and postoperative physical activity scores increased.
Why it matters
These pooled findings provide an estimate of how often and how soon patients resume activity after knee arthroplasty, while highlighting differences between procedures and the decline in high-impact sport. The reported role of precautionary behaviour suggests that expectations and concerns may influence activity after surgery, although the very low certainty of evidence limits confidence in these estimates.
What to keep in mind
Certainty of evidence across all outcomes was rated very low; the review also reports Level IV evidence.