Kathryn Mills1, Brooke Falchi2, Caitlin Duckett3, Justine Naylor4. 1. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia. Electronic address: Kathryn.mills@mq.edu.au. 2. MQ Health Physiotherapy, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia. 3. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia. 4. Whitlam Orthopaedic Research Centre, Liverpool Hospital, Sydney, Australia; South West Sydney Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; Ingham Institute of Applied Medical Health Research, Sydney, Australia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The literature pertaining to changes in physical activity (PA) in people who have undergone lower limb arthroplasty is controversial, but it is unknown whether this is due to participant characteristics or how physical activity is measured. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether PA changes after total knee or hip arthroplasty and what explains contradictory results between different published studies. DATA SOURCES: Five online databases were searched for keywords and MeSH headings. Reference lists were also hand-searched. STUDY SELECTION: Cohort studies and the control groups of clinical trials that examined PA levels prior to total arthroplasty as well as 6- and/or 12-month post-operative included. PA could be measured using accelerometery, pedometery or patient reported outcomes. DATA EXTRACTION: PA outcomes were categorised into frequency, intensity, duration and type. Meta-analysis was performed when possible. RESULTS: Eleven studies, examining 277 individuals with THA and 406 people with TKA were included. Studies differed in the outcome measure reported, device used and placement of accelerometers. When measured as steps per day, pooled data revealed a small increase in the frequency of PA at 12 months post-TKA (SMD 0.44 [0.2, 0.67] I2=0%) and moderate increase in individuals post-THA (SMD 0.65 [0.32, 0.97] I2=0%). Pooled evidence indicated no change in PA duration when measured as time spent active (SMD 0.05 [-0.42, 0.52] I2=46%) or proportion of time spent active (SMD 0.5 [-0.17, 1.16] I2=75%) 6-months post-TKA. Data examining PA duration, intensity and type at 12-months could not be pooled. CONCLUSION: The true nature of changes in PA post-surgery remains largely unclear. While frequency of PA may increase, the balance of evidence indicates that PA does not substantially increase post total joint arthroplasty. Improvements in the consistency of device type, placement and outcome measure would substantially assist in improving knowledge in this area. TRIAL REGISTRATION: CRD42015029686.
BACKGROUND: The literature pertaining to changes in physical activity (PA) in people who have undergone lower limb arthroplasty is controversial, but it is unknown whether this is due to participant characteristics or how physical activity is measured. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether PA changes after total knee or hip arthroplasty and what explains contradictory results between different published studies. DATA SOURCES: Five online databases were searched for keywords and MeSH headings. Reference lists were also hand-searched. STUDY SELECTION: Cohort studies and the control groups of clinical trials that examined PA levels prior to total arthroplasty as well as 6- and/or 12-month post-operative included. PA could be measured using accelerometery, pedometery or patient reported outcomes. DATA EXTRACTION: PA outcomes were categorised into frequency, intensity, duration and type. Meta-analysis was performed when possible. RESULTS: Eleven studies, examining 277 individuals with THA and 406 people with TKA were included. Studies differed in the outcome measure reported, device used and placement of accelerometers. When measured as steps per day, pooled data revealed a small increase in the frequency of PA at 12 months post-TKA (SMD 0.44 [0.2, 0.67] I2=0%) and moderate increase in individuals post-THA (SMD 0.65 [0.32, 0.97] I2=0%). Pooled evidence indicated no change in PA duration when measured as time spent active (SMD 0.05 [-0.42, 0.52] I2=46%) or proportion of time spent active (SMD 0.5 [-0.17, 1.16] I2=75%) 6-months post-TKA. Data examining PA duration, intensity and type at 12-months could not be pooled. CONCLUSION: The true nature of changes in PA post-surgery remains largely unclear. While frequency of PA may increase, the balance of evidence indicates that PA does not substantially increase post total joint arthroplasty. Improvements in the consistency of device type, placement and outcome measure would substantially assist in improving knowledge in this area. TRIAL REGISTRATION: CRD42015029686.