Does physical activity change following hip and knee replacement? Matched case-control study evaluating Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative

• Published in: Physiotherapy Vol. 104; no. 1; pp. 80 - 90
• Main Authors: Smith, T.O, Mansfield, M, Dainty, J, Hilton, G, Mann, C.J.V, Sackley, C.M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01-03-2018
• Subjects: Community; Health promotion; Joint replacement; Lower limb; Physical activity; Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation; Lower limb; health promotion; community; joint replacement; physical activity; Joint replacement; Physical activity; Health promotion; Community
• ISSN: 0031-9406; 1873-1465
• DOI: 10.1016/j.physio.2017.02.001

Abstract Objectives To determine whether physical activity measured using the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE), changes during the initial 24 months post-total hip (THR) or knee replacement (TKR), and how this compares to a matched non-arthroplasty cohort. Design Case-controlled study analysis of a prospectively collected dataset. Setting USA community-based. Participants 116 people post-THR, 105 people post-TKR compared to 663 people who had not undergone THR or TKR, or had hip or knee osteoarthritis. Cohorts were age-, gender- and BMI-matched. Main outcome measures Physical activity assessed using the 12-item PASE at 12 and 24 months post-operatively. Results There was no significant difference in total PASE score between pre-operative to 12 months (mean: 136 vs. 135 points; p = 0.86) or 24 months following THR (mean: 136 vs 132 points; p = 0.95). Whilst there was no significant difference in total PASE score from pre-operative to 12 months post-TKR (126 vs. 121 points; p = 0.93), by 24 months people following TKR reported significantly greater physical activity (126 vs. 142 points; p = 0.04). There was no statistically significant difference in physical activity between the normative matched and THR (p ≥ 0.14) or TKR (p ≥ 0.06) cohorts at 12 or 24 months post-joint replacement. Conclusions Physical activity is not appreciably different to pre-operative levels at 12 or 24 months post-THR, but was greater at 24 months following TKR. Health promotion strategies are needed to encourage greater physical activity participation following joint replacement, and particularly targeting those who undergo THR.