Return To Sporting Activity After Total Hip Arthroplasty - An Irish Experience

ObjectiveTotal hip arthroplasty (THA) is traditionally an operation of the elderly. In the past few decades we have seen younger patient cohorts undergoing THA and increased activity levels in elderly cohorts. Guidelines have not been developed on return to sporting activity after THA. At present return to sport is dictated by surgeon preference and advice. The aim of this paper is to assess attitudes and practices toward return to sport after THA in Irish surgeons performing a minimum of forty total hip replacements per annum. DesignWeb-based survey, level of evidence 5 MethodsCurrent practices in the Irish orthopaedic community were assessed through a web-based survey. The questionnaire was issued via the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland to consultants involved with higher specialist training. Of 90 consultants surveyed, 35 responded. 8 respondents did not perform greater than forty THA operations per annum and thus were excluded from the later part of the survey. ResultsThe majority of respondents (61.54%) would use an uncemented design for a patient planning on returning to sport. 26.92% would use a hybrid design. 3.85% would opt for a resurfacing arthroplasty. The majority of surgeons (73.08%) would use an uncemented femoral implant. 92.81% would use a ceramic on polyethylene bearing surface. 57.69% of surgeons would perform a posterolateral approach and 30.77% would opt for a anterolateral approach. All respondents would allow patients to return to low impact sports such as golf, swimming and walking following THA. Significantly more variance was seen across surgeons when considering a return to medium impact and high impact sports. Summary/ConclusionThis survey has shown that there is still a lack of consensus on return to sport after THA. This survey of some of the most eminent arthroplasty surgeons practicing in Ireland will hopefully allow for consolidation of guidelines on return to sport after THA.