The aging population has stayed or gotten more active in recent years. That activity certainly helps with overall health. It also means that more people are dealing with arthritis of their hips and knees that make physical activity difficult. If pain approaches a level that impairs quality of life, then hip and knee replacement become necessary. Is exercise after knee replacement or hip replacement safe? What kind of exercise can you do?

Since many of these people love to exercise, the question of whether exercise is safe after joint replacement has become more of an issue.

Concerns with exercise after knee replacement or hip replacement

One concern with exercise after knee replacement or hip replacement concerns wearing out the components of the joint faster than a patient normally would. After all, these metal and plastic components are still subject to wear and tear. The more pounding a patient places on these artificial joints, the faster he or she could wear them out.

Theoretically a revision surgery could become more likely. These revision operations are often more complicated and medically riskier surgeries. Therefore, many surgeons who specialize in total joint arthroplasty only recommend activities and exercise that places low stresses on the joint, such as cycling and swimming, instead of repetitive impact activities, such as jogging.

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Exercise after hip replacement or knee replacement surgery

With newer implant materials in recent years, patients with hip and knee replacements can hope to return to many physical activities, including golf, jogging or running, doubles tennis and skiing. By maintaining an active lifestyle, the physical activity can help maintain or improve their overall health and increase their bone quality.

If you have had or soon will undergo joint replacement, discuss activity restrictions and concerns about certain forms of exercise after knee replacement or hip replacement with your surgeon. Activity recommendations can be tailored to specific patients based on age, medical conditions, type of prosthesis, athletic goals and desires, and other factors. Regardless, staying as active as possible is crucial to maintaining your overall health.