Return to Cycling After Total Joint Arthroplasty

• Published in: The Journal of arthroplasty Vol. 39; no. 11; pp. 2686 - 2691.e2
• Main Authors: Driesman, Adam S., Johnson, Roseann M., Yang, Charlie C., Miner, Todd M., Dennis, Douglas A., Jennings, Jason M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01-11-2024
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee; Bicycling; biking; cycling; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Reoperation - statistics & numerical data; Return to Sport - statistics & numerical data; sport; Surveys and Questionnaires; total hip arthroplasty; total knee arthroplasty; total hip arthroplasty; total knee arthroplasty; cycling; biking; sport
• ISSN: 0883-5403; 1532-8406; 1532-8406
• DOI: 10.1016/j.arth.2024.05.041

As total joint arthroplasty (TJA) candidates become younger, patients’ expectations continue to expand. We surveyed our patient population to determine rates of return to cycling after TJA so that we could provide more accurate counseling on performance and safety.
At our single institution, an online survey was generated and sent out to patients who had at least 3 months of follow-up. Patients were split into 4 categories based on surgery type: single total hip arthroplasty (THA), single total knee arthroplasty (TKA), multiple TJA, and revision TJA.
A total of 1,029 surveys fit the inclusion criteria. The average age of the patient population was 69 years, with an average of 4.08 years from their time of most recent TJA surgery (maximum follow-up of 18.61 years). Nearly all those who were able to bike prior to surgery were able to return to cycling, with only 6% not being able to do so. There were 41.8% who returned to cycling less than 3 months after surgery. Most cyclists were able to return to their previous level. Patients who had a revision TJA had significantly lower rates of returning to cycling in comparison to single TKA, single THA, and multi-TJA (37.3%, 60.3%, 61.9%, and 60.3%, respectively, P < .005). Patients who never returned to cycling had higher revision rates in comparison to those who were able to get back on a bike (14.4 versus 9.2%, P = .01).
A large proportion of patients who had prior cycling experience were able to return to bike riding within 3 to 6 months after TJA. Individuals who had revision TJA had lower rates of return to cycling in comparison to single TKA, single THA, and multi-TJA. Returning to cycling did not result in higher rates of revision.