Activity after TJA highly variable, depends on patient
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KOLOA, Hawaii — Patient activity after total joint arthroplasty can be highly variable and depends more on the patient than the surgery, according to a presenter here.
In his presentation at Orthopedics Today Hawaii, Thomas P. Schmalzried, MD, noted previously published studies have shown that some older patients may be more active than younger patients, and that BMI may be more predictive of activity than age. Schmalzried also noted that previously published research has shown ambulation and gait speed decrease with increased age.
“So, in studying these high-activity patients, arthroplasty was performed about 9.5 years prior to the study. The implants had seen a mean of 25 million cycles, maximum of 44.1 million cycles, with 40% in high activity. None of them had required revision,” Schmalzried said. “So, this makes you rethink whether or not activity restrictions are at all necessary for your arthroplasty patients today.”
Although the use of activity trackers is accelerating, Schmalzried said the manufacturers of the devices do not provide accuracy data. He added that wearable technology requires validation, manpower and compliance from patients. Other drawbacks are that the trackers can get lost and the technology may not add value to a clinical practice, according to Schmalzried.
“This is a study we did, and the summary is that the wrist-based devices are not as accurate as anything that’s worn on the body and the cell phones were not good,” Schmalzried said.
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Schmalzried TP. Patient activity after arthroplasty. Presented at: Orthopedics Today Hawaii; Jan. 8-12, 2023; Koloa, Hawaii.
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