Sport with knee prosthesis
The service life of a knee prosthesis has improved significantly over time and is now around 15-20 years. Robust and well-tolerated materials enable a load capacity and range of motion that correspond to those of a healthy knee joint in everyday life. Since the patient population with implanted knee prosthesis is getting younger and younger and thus more and more physically very active people are prosthesis wearers, the question often arises as to which rules of conduct should be observed when doing sports.
In principle, a knee prosthesis is no reason to avoid sports activities. However, the extent of the permissible load depends on several factors. The stability of the ligaments and muscle strength are just as important factors as the coordination of certain movement sequences.
Patients who were in a weakened physical condition before the operation should then load the knee slowly and preferably under the guidance of experienced therapists. Last but not least, body weight plays an important role in the durability of the prosthesis. The greater the weight of the patient, the greater the forces acting on the newly inserted materials.
From a BMI (Body Mass Index) of 30, loading in the sense of sports activities should only be done very carefully. An absolute ban on sports is imposed in the event of pain or instability of the affected joint. Sporting activities can only be resumed once the artificial joint is sufficiently functional and stable.
Muscle and ligament guidance must be ensured to prevent premature prosthesis failure. Caution must also be exercised when choosing the type of sport to be practiced.Avoid sports where jerky loads such as sudden stops occur. Rotational movements or sudden external forces can also cause damage to the artificial joint.
Previously practiced sports such as ball sports, dancing or martial arts should be avoided after implantation of a knee prosthesis. Instead, affected persons should stick to sports activities with moderate and continuous stress such as Nordic walking, light jogging or swimming.