Skip to main content
Download PDF

Physical activity after revision knee arthroplasty including return to sport and work: a systematic review and meta-analysis including GRADE

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders volume 24, Article number: 368 (2023) Cite this article

Abstract

Background

The number of primary knee arthroplasties (KAs) performed annually is rising, especially among active, working age patients. Consequently, revision KA is also increasingly performed. Our aim was to systematically review the extent to which patients were physically active following revision KA, and the rate and timing of return to sport and work.

Methods

A search was conducted in the databases Medline and Embase until February 24th, 2023. Studies describing patients with revision total knee arthroplasty (rTKA) or revision unicondylar knee arthroplasty (rUKA), with outcomes regarding physical activity or return to sport (RTS) or work (RTW) were included. Quality of studies was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa scale, meta-analyses were performed using RevMan 5.4 and Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE).

Results

Of the 4,314 articles screened, 22 studies were included describing 2,462 rTKA patients (no rUKA), 42% were male with a mean age of 67 years (range 24 – 95). No studies reported objective physical activity measurements. Twenty-two studies reported patient reported outcome measures (PROMs). The PROMs that were pooled on a scale from zero to ten were the UCLA Activity Score, the Tegner Activity Level Scale, the Lower-Extremity Activity Scale, Devane Activity Score, and physical activity related subscales of the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score. The retrospective studies of moderate quality showed a statistically significant postoperative improvement of 1.7 points (MD = 1.71, 95% CI 1.48 – 1.94 (p < 0.0001); 14 studies, n = 1,211). For the prospective moderate-quality studies, a statistically significant postoperative increase of 0.9 points was found (MD = 0.89, 95% CI 0.48 – 1.30 (p < 0.0001); 6 studies, n = 1,027). Regarding RTS, 12% of patients participated in so-called ‘non-recommended’ activities (i.e., hockey, soccer, football, gymnastics, jogging, singles tennis, and basketball) after rTKA (1 study, n = 206). The pooled RTW was 86% (2 studies, range 18–95%, n = 234).

Conclusions

The majority of patients self-reported an improved postoperative activity level after rTKA. Patients could maintain an active lifestyle in daily life, including sports and work. For reliable physical activity, RTS and RTW estimations, more studies are required. In terms of GRADE, the quality of evidence for the five prospective studies was rated as low.

Level of evidence

Level 3.

Peer Review reports

Background

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative and progressive joint disease affecting more than 25% of the adult population [1, 2]. Multiple factors contribute to the risk of developing OA, including genetic predisposition, sport injuries, physical work overload, obesity, and aging [3]. OA is one of the most common causes of adult disability worldwide. When conservative treatment of OA has failed, surgical intervention may be considered. Knee arthroplasty (KA) is a surgical option for patients with knee OA [4,5,6,7], which provides pain relief, restored knee joint function, and improved quality of life [8]. Both unicondylar knee arthroplasty (UKA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are cost-effective methods [4, 9, 10].

The increasing prevalence of knee OA contributes to a higher demand for KA. The number of primary knee arthroplasty (pKA) procedures is increasing and the largest increase is seen in younger patients (< 65 years of age) [11]. A similar increase is expected for revision KA [12, 13]. For example, an 88% increase in revision TKA (rTKA) is expected in Germany by 2050, compared to 2020 [14]. A substantial increase in rTKA is also expected in the United States, with a projected increase between 78 and 182% for 2030, compared to 2014 [15]. Performing more pKAs, particularly in younger patients, increases the likelihood of revision surgery. This can generally be attributed to a more active lifestyle, increased life-expectancy, and the limited lifespan of knee implants [16]. For example, Bayliss et al. found a 35% revision risk for male patients < 55 years of age, with a median time to revision of 4.4 years [17]. Additionally, Walker-Santiago et al. described that early reoperations, early re-revisions, and overall re-revisions were generally more common in patients 55 years or younger when compared to older rTKA patients [18].

Currently, there is a lack of clear insight into possibilities for patients regarding physical activity and maintaining an active lifestyle after rKA. As stated, younger patients are at a higher risk of requiring revision KA [17, 19]. Especially for these younger patients, remaining active and returning to activities such as sports and work is important. However, after revision, an active lifestyle and returning to work seem less likely [20]. Patients need to be well informed before receiving KA, considering that several studies showed that patients tend to overestimate their postoperative outcomes [5, 21, 22].

Therefore, our aim was to conduct a systematic review to assess the extent to which patients were physically active following rKA, as well as the rate and timing of RTS and RTW.

Methods

For this systematic review, the guidelines of the PRISMA 2020 statement were used, and a non-published study protocol was written before the initiation of the study [6].

Searches

A clinical librarian developed the search strategy in collaboration with the authors, which was validated using several preselected papers that fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Databases used for identifying relevant literature were Medline via Pubmed and Embase via OvidSP. Searches for relevant literature were performed until February 24th, 2023, using the following terms and synonyms: ‘knee arthroplasty’, ‘revision’, ‘recovery of function’, ‘sport’, and ‘work’. The entire search, with all terms and synonyms, used for both Medline and Embase can be found in Additional file 1.

Study inclusion and exclusion criteria

The inclusion criteria for the study were (1) patients receiving rTKA after pTKA, rUKA after pUKA or rTKA after pUKA; (2) studies concerning physical activity, which included one of the following (post-operative) patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) of interest: Physical activity measurements (e.g., activity trackers) [23], PROMS regarding physical activity (namely the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) activity scale [24], Tegner activity score [25], Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score Physical Function Shortform (KOOS-PS) [26], Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score Function in Sport and Recreation (KOOS-Sport/Rec) [27], Devane activity score [28], and Lower-Extremity Activity Scale (LEAS)) [29]; (3) Studies reporting return to sport (RTS) and/or return to work (RTW) rates. After duplications were removed, all titles and abstracts were reviewed independently by at least two of three reviewers (SvdW, AH, PK), using Rayyan [30]. For the included papers, the full text was obtained and assessed independently for eligibility. Any disagreements were resolved by discussion between the three reviewers. No studies were excluded based on language. Studies with a publication date before the year 2000 were excluded due to a shift in patient demographics and recent advancements in bearing surfaces and component design. Furthermore, all case-studies and systematic reviews were excluded. Additionally, the reference lists of the included studies were manually screened for relevant additional studies.

Outcome measures

Primary outcomes for the present study were physical activity measures (i.e., activity tracker data), PROMs including the UCLA activity scale (ranging from zero to ten, with zero indicating wholly inactive and ten indicating regular participation in impact sports), Tegner activity score (ranging from zero to ten, with zero indicating disability or sick leave pension due to knee problems and ten indicating national elite sports level), KOOS (ranging from zero to 100, with zero indicating extreme difficulty in function and 100 indicating no difficulty in function), Devane activity score (ranging from one to five, with one indicating participation in contact sports and five indicating sedentary/dependent), and LEAS score (ranging from zero to a maximum of 18, with 18 representing daily participation in sports at a competitive level), and RTS and RTW.

Data extraction strategy

For data extraction, a standardized form was used, which included the following data: (1) study information, including author, year of publication, country, and language; (2) study design and duration of follow-up; (3) study population characteristics such as the number of patients, age, and sex; (4) type of operation performed; (5) outcome measures used; (6) preoperative score; (7) postoperative score; (8) statistical comparison of pre- and postoperative scores; (9) percentage and timing of RTS; (10) percentage and timing of RTW; (11) confounders included; (12) conclusion. Two authors independently extracted data from the included articles (SvdW, AH, PK), and disagreements were resolved through discussion. When data were unclear or missing, authors were contacted for additional information.

Study quality assessment

To assess the quality of the included studies, the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used [31]. The NOS includes three categories for quality assessment: 1. selection (four items, namely representativeness of the exposed cohort, selection of the non-exposed cohort, ascertainment of exposure and demonstration that the outcome of interest was not present at the start of the study), 2. comparability (two items, namely comparability of cohorts, and whether the study accounts for possible confounders like sex, age, BMI, advice given by the surgeon or the patient’s motivation), and 3. outcome (three items, namely assessment of outcome, length of follow-up, and adequacy of follow-up). A total of nine stars can be obtained and eight or more stars were considered as indicating a low risk of bias (high quality), five to seven as indicating a moderate risk of bias (moderate quality) and four or less as indicating a high risk (low quality) [19, 25]. Quality was assessed independently by two of the three authors (SvdW, AH, PK), and disagreements were resolved through discussion.

Data synthesis

For each of the physical activity outcomes, the pre- and postoperative data regarding physical activity measurements, PROMs and percentage and timing of RTS and RTW were described. Studies described preoperative scores as the moment before surgery. When possible, the outcome of studies was pooled. Meta-analyses were performed using Review Manager 5.4 (RevMan, The Cochrane Collaboration 2020) by calculating the overall mean difference (MD) for the pre- and postoperative PROMs including a 95% confidence interval (CI), using a random effects model with the inverse variance approach. Missing mean scores and standard deviations for studies were imputed based on mean scores and standard deviations from other included studies with identical PROMs and study design. If a crosswalk between two or more PROMs was available, this was used to perform pooled analyses [32]. Additionally, PROMs were standardized by calculating the outcome with a minimum score of zero, meaning ‘the worst physical functioning’ and a maximum score of ten, meaning ‘the best physical functioning’, presuming that all included scales were linear. The included studies were divided into subgroups based on their study design and methodological quality.

GRADE

The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) framework was used to assess the quality of evidence and determine the strength of recommendations regarding the association between rKA and the level of physical activity. GRADE has four categories of certainty: high, moderate, low and very low [33].

The GRADE framework was drafted by one author (SvdW) and independently checked by a second author (PK) and any disagreements were resolved through discussion. The starting point for certainty was defined as ‘high’, corresponding with ‘We are very confident that the true effect lies close to that of the estimate of the effect’ [33], since all included studies aimed to identify the association between rKA and physical activity. Subsequently, the quality of evidence was downgraded based on five factors: 1. study limitations (majority of studies having a moderate or unclear risk of bias or minority of studies having a prospective study design), 2. inconsistency (I2 > 50%), 3. indirectness (population not fully representative of rKA patients or physical activity self-reported in the majority of patients), 4. imprecision (majority of studies having less than 100 revision operations or no precise estimate of effect size) and 5. publication bias is strongly suspected (yes). The quality of evidence was upgraded based on two factors: 1. moderate or large effect size (defined as an increase of 10% or more on an activity scale from 0–10) [34] and, 2. adjusted for confounders (majority of studies corrected for at least the three confounders age, BMI, and pre-operative activity level).

Results

Screening process

A total of 5,809 possibly relevant articles were identified with the primary search via Embase (2,763) and Medline (3,046). After removing 1,492 duplicates, the remaining 4,314 articles were screened, and the full text of 77 articles was assessed for eligibility. Finally, 22 articles were included (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1
figure 1

PRISMA Flow diagram

Full size image

Study characteristics

Of the 22 included studies, two studies were performed in Germany [35, 36], ten in the USA [7, 16, 37,38,39,40,41,42,43,44], four in Canada [45,46,47,48], two in the United Kingdom [49, 50], two in France [51, 52], one in Finland [53], and one in Russia [54] (Table 1). All studies were observational, of which 16 were retrospective cohort studies [16, 35,36,37, 40, 42, 43, 45,46,47,48,49, 52,53,54], and six were prospective cohort studies [7, 38, 39, 41, 44, 50]. The total number of patients in the 22 studies was 2,462 (range 14 – 308). The mean age of these patients was 67.2 years (range 24 – 95), and 1,425 women (58%) and 1,037 men (42%) were included. The mean follow-up of the studies was 3.5 years (range 0.5 – 9.1). Only patients who underwent rTKA were described and no studies reported on rUKA patients. None of the studies reported objective physical activity measurements, all studies reported PROMS, one study reported information on RTS [37], and two studies on RTW [37, 49].

Table 1 Pre- and postoperative outcomes: data extraction from the included studies
Full size table

Quality assessment

None of the included studies had a low risk of bias, 20 studies had a moderate risk [7, 16, 36,37,38,39,40,41,42,43,44, 46,47,48,49,50,51,52,53,54] and two studies had a high risk [35, 45]. Most stars (equivalent to the lowest risk of bias) were awarded for the item “ascertainment of exposure”, since all 22 studies reported on rKA patients. The least number of stars (equivalent to highest risk of bias) was awarded for the item “assessment of outcome”, since no study reported objective physical activity measurements, and all studies described self-reported physical activity data (Additional file 2).

The total number of patients in the 20 moderate quality studies was 2,338 (range 24 – 308). The mean age of the patients was 67.2 years (range 24 – 95), including 1,364 women (58%) and 974 men (42%). The mean follow-up of the studies was 3.3 years (range 0.5 – 9.1).

The total number of patients in the two low quality studies was 124 (range 14 – 110). The mean age of the patients was 67.9 (range 35 – 86), including 61 women (49%) and 63 men (51%). The mean follow-up of the studies was 8.1 years (range 0.7 – 9) (Table 1). The range of follow-up times reflects the range of the mean follow-up time per study, and not that of the individual patient within each study.

Physical activity

Most studies reported on the UCLA score (12 studies) [16, 36, 37, 40, 42, 43, 45,46,47,48,49,50], four studies reported on LEAS [38, 39, 41, 44], four studies reported on activity-related KOOS subscales [7, 41, 43, 51, 53, 54], two studies reported on the Devane activity score [52, 54], and one study reported on the Tegner activity score [35]. The 12 studies describing UCLA scores (n = 965) found a mean UCLA score of 3.3 (± 1.9) preoperatively and 5.2 (± 2.3) postoperatively. The LEAS score was described in four studies (n = 669), with a preoperative mean of 7.6 (± 2.6), and a postoperative mean of 8.9 (± 2.7).

The KOOS-Sport was reported in three studies [41, 51, 53] (n = 313), with a preoperative mean of 12.2 (± 13.0), and postoperative mean of 35.0 (± 20.0). The KOOS-PS was reported by Piuzzi et al. [7] (n = 313), with mean preoperative and postoperative scores of 45.9 (± 17.8) and 65.1 (± 22.5) respectively.

The Devane activity score was used in two studies [52, 54] (n = 188), with a mean of 2.7 (± 1.0) preoperatively and a mean of 2.4 postoperatively. The Tegner activity score was described once (n = 14). Fuchs et al. only reported a postoperative Tegner activity score of 1.3 (± 0.8) [35].

The combined total of the 16 retrospective studies resulted in a mean of 3.2 (± 2.0) preoperatively and a mean of 4.9 (± 2.2) postoperatively (Fig. 2). Moreover, the combined total of the two low-quality retrospective studies resulted in a mean of 3.3 (± 1.9) preoperatively and a mean of 3.5 (± 2.2) postoperatively. Additionally, the combined total of the 14 retrospective studies of moderate-quality resulted in a mean of 3.2 (± 2.0) preoperatively, and a mean of 5.0 (± 2.2) postoperatively. The combined total of the six prospective studies resulted in a mean of 4.3 (± 1.7) preoperatively, and a mean of 5.3 (± 2.0) postoperatively (Fig. 3).

Fig. 2
figure 2

Physical activity: mean and standard deviation for included retrospective studies and their respective outcome measure. Devane Devane activity score FU follow-up KOOS Sport Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score Function in Sport M months N number Tegner Tegner activity score UCLA University of California at Los Angeles activity scale

Full size image
Fig. 3
figure 3

Physical activity: mean and standard deviation for included prospective studies and their respective outcome measure. FU follow-up KOOS PS Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score Physical Function Shortform LEAS Lower-Extremity Activity Scale M months N number UCLA University of California at Los Angeles activity scale

Full size image

Figures 4 and 5 present the meta-analyses performed for the subgroups. A crosswalk was used to derive UCLA scores from LEAS scores of four prospective studies [32]. The derived scores were used in a meta-analysis, combined with UCLA scores described by one prospective study and 11 retrospective studies. The crosswalk subgroup (Fig. 4) included a total of 16 studies and showed a significant postoperative increase of 1.2 points (MD = 1.17, 95% CI 0.60 – 1.73 (p < 0.0001)).

Fig. 4
figure 4

Forest plot of meta-analysis: physical outcome measures for studies describing LEAS or UCLA activity scores. CI Confidence Interval IV Inverse variance SD Standard deviation

Full size image
Fig. 5
figure 5

Forest plot of meta-analysis: physical outcome measures for prospective studies. CI Confidence Interval IV Inverse variance SD Standard deviation

Full size image

Furthermore, the prospective subgroup included six studies and showed a significant postoperative increase of 0.9 points (MD = 0.89, 95% CI 0.48 – 1.30 (p < 0.0001)), from ‘regular participation in mild activities such as walking, limited housework, and limited shopping’ to ‘sometimes participates in moderate activities’ (Fig. 5).

Return to sport

One study reported on RTS. Dahm et al. [37] reported individual athletic activities for 206 rTKA patients. No preoperative data on activity-specific participation were reported. Out of the 206 patients, 87% reported participating in slow walking after rTKA, while 54% of the patients participated in medium paced walking. Additionally, 12% of patients engaged in non-recommended activities (i.e., hockey, soccer, football, gymnastics, jogging, singles tennis, and basketball) after rTKA. The time to RTS was not mentioned in the study.

Return to work

Two studies reported on RTW. The pooled mean RTW of the two studies was 86%. Dahm et al. [37] reported a RTW percentage of 96% after 5.6 years (range 3 – 9), and 67% of rTKA patients had a work level comparable to activities of daily living. Moreover, Dahm et al. [37] found that 9% of the patients participated in heavy manual labour after revision and 24% participated in light manual labour after revision. Scott et al. [49] reported an RTW percentage of 18%, with an RTW rate of 7% one year after rTKA. In addition, no statistically significant reasons for not returning to work were reported. None of the patients returned to heavy manual labour after revision.

Confounding factors

Of the 22 included studies, nine adjusted for possible confounding factors that could affect physical activity (Table 1). These confounders included age, sex, BMI, (number of) comorbidities, preoperative activity, the reason for revision and time since revision. Three of the 22 studies identified age as a possible confounding factor. Dahm et al. [37] controlled for age as a confounding factor but did not find a significant difference between patients > 70 years and patients < 70 years. Turnbull et al. [50] reported that age did not affect UCLA activity scores, however, younger patients (< 65 years) were less likely to be satisfied with physical activity after revision. Ghomrawi et al. [39] found that age did not influence LEAS scores. Four of the included studies reported sex as a possible confounder. Male patients had higher average postoperative UCLA scores than female patients [37, 39, 49, 50]. Three studies identified BMI as a potential confounding factor, although no correlation was found between BMI and physical activity in these studies [37, 39, 50]. The prevalence of comorbidities was described as a possible confounder in three studies. Dahm et al. [37] reported that 61% of the included patients were limited in physical activity due to other joints. Ghomrawi et al. [39] reported that patients with a higher number of comorbidities were less likely to be physically active after revision. Sonn et al. stated that rTKA patients with > 50% pain relief after injections, self-reported improvement in activity level and maintained greater satisfaction after a minimum of one year, when compared to rTKA patients with < 50% pain relief after injections [43]. Preoperative scores regarding physical activity were analysed in 16 studies [7, 16, 38, 39, 41,42,43,44, 47, 49,50,51,52, 54]. Five studies mentioned the reason for revision as a possible confounding factor. Ghomrawi et al. [39] reported that patients with a failed KA due to malalignment, had higher average postoperative LEAS scores. Sandiford et al. [48] mentioned that patients with trabecular metal cones could have better outcomes, since this type of KA was used for more simple defects. Turnbull et al. [50] stated that UCLA activity levels were not affected by the reason for revision. Grayson et al. reported that the reason for revision was not significant for preoperative and postoperative differences [42]. Sonn et al. mentioned that instability cases showed a significantly higher improvement in UCLA activity level when compared to aseptic loosening cases, from preoperative to a minimum follow-up of one year [43].

Time since revision was mentioned as a possible confounder in two studies. Dahm et al. [37] described that patients had undergone a revision in the previous three to ten years, and mentioned that the percentage of good results continued to increase up until 60 months following revision. Sandiford et al. [48] reported that the five year follow-up may not have been long enough to include all types of failure occurring in patients with revision.

GRADE

The quality of evidence in the sixteen studies using the LEAS and UCLA crosswalk was rated as very low according to the GRADE framework, due to four downgrades and one upgrade (Additional file 3). This is the equivalent of ‘We have very little confidence in the effect estimate: the true effect is likely to be substantially different from the estimate of effect’ [33]. For the six prospective studies, the quality of evidence was rated as low, with two downgrades and no upgrades (Additional file 3). This is the equivalent of ‘Our confidence in the effect estimate is limited: the true effect may be substantially different from the estimate of the effect’ [33].

Discussion

The most important finding of the present study was that physical activity following rTKA was equal or higher compared to preoperative physical activity, as evaluated by the pooled PROM analyses. Limited data suggest that patients can also return to low impact sports and work activities after rTKA. No studies in this systematic review included UKA patients, therefore no comparisons could be made between rUKA and rTKA.

Physical activity

This study showed an improvement from pre- to postoperatively self-reported physical activity after rTKA. Although both pTKA and rTKA generally lead to improvement in function, two previous studies reported that the extent of improvement regarding physical function is inferior after rTKA compared to pTKA [20, 55]. The first study found an overall 12% lower score for the revision group using WOMAC, Oxford Knee and SF-12 scores. The second study found a worse pain score in the revision group, but a similar American Knee Society Score and SF-12 score [54]. We did not include these overall function scores in the present study given our focus on physical activity. Therefore, we cannot compare the physical activity scores as presented in our review with these overall function scores. However, given the uncertainty of our findings based on GRADE, these less favourable outcomes when comparing rTKA versus pTKA are important to consider when discussing the option of pKA, especially for patients with a higher risk of rKA.

Konings et al. reported a pooled mean UCLA score of 6.5 postoperatively (± 2.1) for patients with a pKA, equivalent to regular participation in active events such as bicycling [56]. Our review included studies with mean UCLA activity scores postoperatively ranging from 4.1 to 6.7, which is equivalent to ‘regular participation in mild activities, such as walking, limited housework, and limited shopping’ and ‘regular participation in active events, such as bicycling’ respectively. This review showed a mean of 5.2 (± 2.3) for postoperative UCLA activity scores, equivalent to scores from mild activity to regular participation in active events such as bicycling.

Based on limited available data, mean UCLA scores after rTKA appeared to be comparable to UCLA scores after pTKA, suggesting comparable levels of postoperative physical activity. This is an encouraging result, although larger studies, preferably with activity monitors, should confirm our present findings. Twiggs et al. described this type of physical activity measurement for patients with pTKA [57], and a similar approach could be used for patients with rKA.

Return to sport and work

One study reported on RTS, and two studies reported on RTW for rTKA patients. This limited amount of research is noteworthy since an increasing number of younger patients will undergo rTKA. Dahm et al. reported that 12% of the enrolled patients participated in sports, which were categorized as ‘not recommended’ [37]. Also, self-assessment of activity versus peers showed that patients reported a slightly higher activity level after rTKA compared to their age group [37]. This indicates that, after rTKA, patients estimated themselves to be at least as active as their respective age group. After KA, high impact activities are generally discouraged due to a higher risk of revision [58]. However, conclusive evidence on the influence of sports on the lifespan of knee implants is lacking. A recent study described higher implant survivorship for highly active TKA patients compared to patients with low activity following TKA [59]. This shows that limiting physical activity may not be necessary for patients with modern-day KA implants. Nonetheless, caution is advised for patients with rTKA who want to pursue high-impact activities, as this might increase the chance of requiring re-revision.

Two studies reported data on RTW and the pooled mean RTW percentage of this review was 86%. Scott et al. reported a very low RTW rate (7%) but mentioned that 71% of the patients had retired and 21% were on welfare benefits after one year.

Due to the limited information available on RTW, no distinction can be made between RTW for pTKA and rTKA patients. To provide more reliable estimates for RTS and RTW after rTKA, more studies are needed.

Patients should be well informed and guided following rTKA. Rehabilitation programmes might contribute to a better outcome regarding RTS and RTW. However, the degree to which these programmes contribute to RTS and RTW for rTKA is unknown. Even for pTKA, no research was found on the effect on RTS and RTW [60]. To prevent unmet expectations and improve patient satisfaction following rTKA or rUKA, setting patient specific goals prior to revision could be beneficial [61]. Making use of ‘goal attainment scaling (GAS)’ during rehabilitation, for example, resulted in higher patient satisfaction with work-activities compared with standard rehabilitation [62,63,64].

High-impact activities are generally discouraged due to a higher risk of revision [58], although a recent review disputes this [65]. Dahm et al. stated that high-impact activities following rTKA are possibly even more concerning [37]. However, evidence on the influence of leisure time and occupational physical activity on the lifespan of rTKA is lacking. Therefore, caution is advised for patients with rTKA who want to pursue high impact activities in leisure time and work, as this could result in an increased chance for re-revision. Due to the limited lifespan of the implant and the possible increased risk of reoperation, revision, and re-revision for younger patients, non-operative treatments should be considered to postpone pKA and rKA [18]. Currently, non-surgical treatment before KA remains underutilized, although this could contribute to a higher participation in sports and work, and delay pKA and rKA [66]. Furthermore, other techniques than KA could be considered when treating younger patients with knee OA. A recent study by Hoorntje et al. showed positive results of both osteotomies and knee joint distraction as possible joint-preserving options for young end-stage knee OA patients [67].

Strengths and limitations

This study presents the first meta-analysis of data on physical activity after rTKA. Furthermore, the included studies and their respective scores were divided into subgroups based on methodological quality. An important limitation of the present study is the risk of bias in the included studies and the uncertainty of the outcomes found according to GRADE. None of the included studies were of high methodological quality. Most of the included studies were of moderate or low quality, and the GRADE score was very low and low. All outcome measures presented in the included studies were patient-reported, which increases the risk of recall bias. Due to this risk, PROM activity scores may have been overestimated or underestimated by the patients. Unfortunately, no objective physical activity measurements were performed in the included studies. Therefore, significant associations between activity scores and change in activity could be unrightfully assumed. Additionally, a limitation is the missing preoperative scores of nine of the 22 included studies. Therefore, missing preoperative scores and standard deviations were based on scores and standard deviations of included studies with a similar study design and outcome measures among similar patients. Furthermore, pooling various outcome measures to assess physical activity may contribute to a less reliable outcome of this study. However, previous studies similarly assessed physical activity using normalised scales [68]. Another limitation of this review is the inclusion of studies with various types of implants. These varying implants may not be directly comparable, which needs to be considered when interpreting our findings. An additional limitation of this study is that only two databases were used, namely Medline and Embase. By not considering grey literature and pre-print repositories, we might have overlooked studies that could have been included in this review. Furthermore, this study was not prospectively registered in the repositories, and the unpublished study protocol represents a limitation of this study. Additionally, no assessment tool was used to calculate the inter-rater reliability of the independent selection of potential eligible papers by the two authors. Finally, a limitation is the heterogeneity of the included studies, which resulted in a less reliable meta-analysis.

Conclusion

This systematic review and meta-analysis showed that the majority of patients reported an improved activity level after rTKA and were able to maintain an active lifestyle in daily life, including sports and work. However, the substantial uncertainty, as rated via GRADE, should be considered when using these findings. To provide more reliable estimates for physical activity, RTS and RTW after rTKA, more prospective studies are needed that use objective physical activity measurements for both leisure time and occupational physical activity, given the expected strong rise in the number of younger and more demanding rTKA patients around the world.

Availability of data and materials

The datasets supporting the conclusions of this article are included within this article and its additional files.

Abbreviations

BMI:

Body Mass Index

CI:

Confidence interval

EQ-5D:

EuroQol-5D

FHSA:

Femoral head structural allograft

GRADE:

Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation

HSS:

Hospital for Special Surgery

KA:

Knee arthroplasty

KOOS:

Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score

KOOS PS:

Koos Physical Function Shortform

KSFS:

Knee Society Function Score

LEAS:

Lower Extremity Activity Scale

MCS:

Mental component score

MD:

Mean difference

NOS:

Newcastle–Ottawa Scale

OA:

Osteoarthritis

OKS:

Oxford Knee Score

PCS:

Physical component score

pKA:

Primary knee arthroplasty

pTKA:

Primary total knee arthroplasty

pUKA:

Primary unicondylar knee arthroplasty

QOL:

Quality of life

rKA:

Revision knee arthroplasty

rTKA:

Revision total knee arthroplasty

rUKA:

Revision unicondylar knee arthroplasty

RTS:

Return to sports

RTW:

Return to work

RevMan:

Review Manager

SF-12:

Twelve item short form survey

SF-36:

Thirty-six item short form survey

TKA:

Total knee arthroplasty

TKR:

Total knee replacement

UCLA:

University of California at Los Angeles

UKA:

Unicondylar knee arthroplasty

VAS:

Visual Analogue Scale

VR-12 MCS:

Veterans RAND-12 mental component score

VR-12 PCS:

Veterans RAND-12 physical component score

WOMAC:

Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index

WORQ:

Work, Osteoarthritis and Joint-Replacement Questionnaires

References

  1. Chen D, Shen J, Zhao W, Wang T, Han L, Hamilton JL, et al. Osteoarthritis: Toward a comprehensive understanding of pathological mechanism. Bone Res. 2017;5(September 2016).

  2. Mora JC, Przkora R, Cruz-Almeida Y. Knee osteoarthritis: Pathophysiology and current treatment modalities. J Pain Res. 2018;11:2189–96.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  3. Runhaar J, Bierma-Zeinstra SMA. The Challenges in the Primary Prevention of Osteoarthritis. Clinics in Geriatric Medicine. 2022;38(2):259–71. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cger.2021.11.012.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Ethgen O, Bruyerè O, Richy F, Dardennes C, Reginster JY. Health-Related Quality of Life in Total Hip and Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Qualitative and Systematic Review of the Literature. J Bone Joint Surg Ser A. 2004;86(5):963–74.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Lingard EA, Sledge CB, Learmonth ID. Patient expectations regarding total knee arthroplasty: Differences among the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia. J Bone Joint Surg Ser A. 2006;88(6):1201–7.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Page MJ, McKenzie JE, Bossuyt PM, Boutron I, Hoffmann TC, Mulrow CD, The PRISMA, et al. statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ. 2020;2021:372.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Piuzzi NS. Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (Pain, Function, and Quality of Life) After Aseptic Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2020;102(20):e114.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Carr AJ, Robertsson O, Graves S, Price AJ, Arden NK, Judge A, et al. Knee replacement. Lancet. 2012;379(9823):1331–40.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Losina E, Walensly R, Kessler C, Emrani P, Reichmann W, Wright E, et al. Cost-effectiveness of total knee arthroplasty in the United States: Invited Commentary. Arch Intern Med. 2009;169(12):1121–2.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. McAllister CM. The role of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty versus total knee arthroplasty in providing maximal performance and satisfaction. J Knee Surg. 2008;21(4):286–92.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Kurtz S, Ong K, Lau E, Mowat F, Halpern M. Projections of primary and revision hip and knee arthroplasty in the United States from 2005 to 2030. J Bone Joint Surg Ser A. 2007;89(4):780–5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Kurtz SM, Ong KL, Lau E, Widmer M, Maravic M, Gómez-Barrena E, et al. International survey of primary and revision total knee replacement. Int Orthop. 2011;35(12):1783–9.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  13. Hamilton DF, Howie CR, Burnett R, Simpson AHRW, Patton JT. Dealing with the predicted increase in demand for revision total knee arthroplasty: Challenges, risks and opportunities. Bone Joint J. 2015;97-B(6):723–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Klug A, Gramlich Y, Rudert M, Drees P, Hoffmann R, Weißenberger M, et al. The projected volume of primary and revision total knee arthroplasty will place an immense burden on future heath care systems over the next 30 years. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2020;(0123456789). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-020-06154-7.

  15. Schwartz AM, Farley KX, Guild GN, Bradbury TL. Projections and Epidemiology of Revision Hip and Knee Arthroplasty in the United States to 2030. J Arthroplasty. 2020;35(6):S79-85. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arth.2020.02.030.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  16. Stambough JB, Clohisy JC, Barrack RL, Nunley RM, Keeney JA. Increased risk of failure following revision total knee replacement in patients aged 55 years and younger. Bone Joint J. 2014;96B(12):1657–62.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Bayliss LE, Culliford D, Monk AP, Glyn-Jones S, Prieto-Alhambra D, Judge A, et al. The effect of patient age at intervention on risk of implant revision after total replacement of the hip or knee: a population-based cohort study. Lancet. 2017;389(10077):1424–30.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  18. Walker-Santiago R, Tegethoff JD, Ralston WM, Keeney JA. Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty in Young Patients: Higher Early Reoperation and Rerevision. J Arthroplasty. 2021;36(2):653–6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arth.2020.08.052.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Pitta M, Esposito CI, Li Z, Lee Y yu, Wright TM, Padgett DE. Failure After Modern Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Prospective Study of 18,065 Knees. J Arthroplasty. 2018;33(2):407–14.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Greidanus NV, Peterson RC, Masri BA, Garbuz DS. Quality of Life Outcomes in Revision Versus Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty. J Arthroplasty. 2011;26(4):615–20.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Nilsdotter AK, Toksvig-Larsen S, Roos EM. Knee arthroplasty: Are patients’ expectations fulfilled? A prospective study of pain and function in 102 patients with 5-year follow-up. Acta Orthop. 2009;80(1):55–61.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  22. Tilbury C, Haanstra TM, Leichtenberg CS, Verdegaal SHM, Ostelo RW, de Vet HCW, et al. Unfulfilled Expectations After Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty Surgery: There Is a Need for Better Preoperative Patient Information and Education. J Arthroplasty. 2016;31(10):2139–45.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Arvidsson D, Fridolfsson J, Börjesson M. Measurement of physical activity in clinical practice using accelerometers. J Intern Med. 2019;286(2):137–53.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Zahiri CA, Schmalzried TP, Szuszczewicz ES, Amstutz HC. Assessing activity in joint replacement patients. J Arthroplasty. 1998;13(8):890–5.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Tegner Y, Lysholm J. Rating systems in the evaluation of knee lig-Clin Ortho 1985. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1984;198:43–9.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Perruccio AV, Stefan Lohmander L, Canizares M, Tennant A, Hawker GA, Conaghan PG, et al. The development of a short measure of physical function for knee OA KOOS-Physical Function Shortform (KOOS-PS) - an OARSI/OMERACT initiative. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2008;16(5):542–50.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Roos EM, Lohmander LS. The Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS): From joint injury to osteoarthritis. Health Qual Life Outcomes. 2003;1:1–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Devane P, Horne G, Martin K, Coldham G, Krause B. Three - dimensional Polyethylene Wear of a Press-fit Titanium Prosthesis Factors Influencing Generation of Polyethylene Debris. J Arthroplasty. 1997;12(3):256–66.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Saleh KJ, Mulhall KJ, Bershadsky B, Ghomrawi HM, White LE, Buyea CM, et al. Development and Validation of a Lower-Extremity Activity Scale. J Bone Joint Surg. 2005;87(9):1985–94.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Ouzzani M, Hammady H, Fedorowicz Z, Elmagarmid A. Rayyan-a web and mobile app for systematic reviews. Syst Rev. 2016;5(1):1–10.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Wells G, Shea B, O’Connell D, Peterson J. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) for assessing the quality of nonrandomised studies in meta-analyses. 2000. Available via Ottawa Hospital Research Institute http://www.ohri.ca/programs/clinical_epidemiology/oxford.asp. Accessed 15 Jul 2021. [cited 2020 Jun 1].

  32. Ghomrawi HMK, Lee Y yu, Herrero C, Joseph A, Padgett D, Westrich G, et al. A Crosswalk Between UCLA and Lower Extremity Activity Scales. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research. 2017;475(2):542–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Huguet A, Hayden JA, Stinson J, McGrath PJ, Chambers CT, Tougas ME, et al. Judging the quality of evidence in reviews of prognostic factor research: Adapting the GRADE framework. Syst Rev. 2013;2(1):71.

  34. Mørup-Petersen A, Skou ST, Holm CE, Holm PM, Varnum C, Krogsgaard MR, et al. Measurement properties of UCLA Activity Scale for hip and knee arthroplasty patients and translation and cultural adaptation into Danish. Acta Orthop. 2021;92(6):681–8.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  35. Fuchs S, Volmer M, Rosenbaum D. Klinisch-funktionelle ergebnisse von gekoppelten kniegelenksendoprothesen. Unfallchirurg. 2001;104(2):150–7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. Efe T, Roessler PP, Heyse TJ, Hauk C, Pahrmann C, Getgood A, et al. Mid-term results after implantation of rotating-hinge knee prostheses: primary versus revision. Orthopedic Rev. 2012;4(4):35.

    Google Scholar 

  37. Dahm DL, Barnes SA, Harrington JR, Berry DJ. Patient Reported Activity After Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty. J Arthroplasty. 2007;22(6 SUPPL.):106–10.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Mulhall KJ, Ghomrawi HM, Bershadsky B, Saleh KJ. Functional improvement after total knee arthroplasty revision: New observations on the dimensional nature of outcome. J Orthop Surg Res. 2007;2(1):25.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  39. Ghomrawi HMK, Kane RL, Eberly LE, Bershadsky B, Saleh KJ, Bourne R, et al. Patterns of functional improvement after revision knee arthroplasty. J Bone Joint Surg Ser A. 2009;91(12):2838–45.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Barrack RL, Stanley T, Burt M, Hopkins S. The effect of stem design on end-of-stem pain in revision total knee arthroplasty. J Arthroplasty. 2004;19(7 SUPPL.):119–24.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Hitt K, Bhowmik-Stoker M, Howard M, Mittal Y, Heekin RD, Jacofsky D. Joint line restoration in a contemporary revision knee system. J Knee Surg. 2015;28(1):75–82.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Grayson CW, Warth LC, Ziemba-Davis MM, Michael Meneghini R. J Arthroplasty. 2016;31(10):2241–6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arth.2016.03.001.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Sonn KA, Deckard ER, Aasar AR, Wolf LK, Meneghini RM. Utility and Prognostic Ability of a Diagnostic Injection Before Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty. J Arthroplasty. 2021;36(6):2116–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arth.2020.12.056.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Auran RL, Ashby SL, Hitt KD, Jacofsky DJ. Preoperative Activity Level an Indicator of Postoperative Functional Outcomes with a Contemporary Revision Total Knee System. J Knee Surg. [Internet] Epub ahead of print 2022. [cited 2022 Oct 1] Available from https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0042-1749606.

  45. Gooding CR, Masri BA, Duncan CP, Greidanus NV, Garbuz DS. Durable infection control and function with the PROSTALAC spacer in two-stage revision for infected knee arthroplasty. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2011;469(4):985–93.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Richards CJ, Garbuz DS, Pugh L, Masri BA. Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty. Clinical Outcome Comparison With and Without the Use of Femoral Head Structural Allograft. J Arthroplasty. 2011;26(8):1299–304. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arth.2010.12.003.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Baker RP, Masri BA, Greidanus NV, Garbuz DS. Outcome After Isolated Polyethylene Tibial Insert Exchange in Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty. J Arthroplasty. 2013;28(1):1–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Sandiford NA, Misur P, Garbuz DS, Greidanus NV, Masri BA. No Difference Between Trabecular Metal Cones and Femoral Head Allografts in Revision TKA: Minimum 5-year Followup. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2017;475(1):118–24.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. Scott CEH, Turnbull GS, Powell-Bowns MFR, MacDonald DJ, Breusch SJ. Activity levels and return to work after revision total hip and knee arthroplasty in patients under 65 years of age. Bone Joint J. 2018;100B(8):1043–53.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  50. Turnbull GS, Scott CEH, MacDonald DJ, Breusch SJ. Gender and Preoperative Function Predict Physical Activity Levels After Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty. J Arthroplasty. 2019;34(5):939–46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arth.2019.01.040.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Jacquet C, Ros F, Guy S, Parratte S, Ollivier M, Argenson JN. Trabecular Metal Cones Combined With Short Cemented Stem Allow Favorable Outcomes in Aseptic Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty. J Arthroplasty. 2021;36(2):657–63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arth.2020.08.058.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Houfani F, Mainard D, Rubens-Duval B, Papin PE, Pasquier G, Ehlinger M. Rotating-hinge prosthesis for aseptic revision knee arthroplasty: A multicentre retrospective study of 127 cases with a mean follow-up of five years. Orthop Traumatol Surg Res. 2021;107(3):102855.

  53. von Hintze J, Niemeläinen M, Sintonen H, Nieminen J, Eskelinen A. Outcomes of the rotating hinge knee in revision total knee arthroplasty with a median follow-up of 6.2 years. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2021;22(1):1–9.

    Google Scholar 

  54. Erivan R, Tracey R, Mulliez A, Villatte G, Paprosky W. Medium term clinical outcomes of tibial cones in revision knee arthroplasty. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2021;141(1):113–8. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-020-03532-1.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Stirling P, Middleton SD, Brenkel IJ, Walmsley PJ. Revision total knee arthroplasty versus primary total knee arthroplasty. Bone Joint Open. 2020;1(3):29–34.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  56. Konings MJ, De Vroey H, Weygers I, Claeys K. Effect of knee arthroplasty on sports participation and activity levels: A systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med. 2020;6(1):1–14.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  57. Twiggs J, Salmon L, Kolos E, Bogue E, Miles B, Roe J. Measurement of physical activity in the pre- and early post-operative period after total knee arthroplasty for Osteoarthritis using a Fitbit Flex device. Med Eng Phys. 2018;51:31–40.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  58. Kuster MS. Exercise recommendations after total joint replacement: A review of the current literature and proposal of scientifically based guidelines. Sports Med. 2002;32(7):433–45.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  59. Crawford DA, Adams JB, Hobbs GR, Berend KR, Lombardi AV. Higher Activity Level Following Total Knee Arthroplasty Is Not Deleterious to Mid-Term Implant Survivorship. J Arthroplasty. 2020;35(1):116–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arth.2019.07.044.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  60. Kuijer PPFM, van Haeren MM, Daams JG, Frings-Dresen MHW. Better return to work and sports after knee arthroplasty rehabilitation? Occup Med. 2018;68(9):626–30.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  61. Straat AC, Coenen P, Smit DJM, Hulsegge G, Bouwsma EVA, Huirne JAF, et al. Development of a personalized m/ehealth algorithm for the resumption of activities of daily life including work and sport after total and unicompartmental knee arthroplasty: A multidisciplinary Delphi study. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020;17(14):1–15.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  62. Witjes S, Hoorntje A, Kuijer PP, Koenraadt KL, Blankevoort L, Kerkhoffs GM, et al. Goal Setting and Achievement in Individualized Rehabilitation of Younger Total and Unicondylar Knee Arthroplasty Patients: A Cohort Study. Arc Phys Med Rehab. 2019;100(8):1434–41. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2018.11.019.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  63. Hoorntje A, Waterval-Witjes S, Koenraadt KLM, Kuijer PPFM, Blankevoort L, Kerkhoffs GMMJ, et al. Goal Attainment Scaling Rehabilitation Improves Satisfaction with Work Activities for Younger Working Patients After Knee Arthroplasty: Results from the Randomized Controlled ACTION Trial. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2020;102(16):1445–53.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  64. Piccoli A, Rossettini G, Cecchetto S, Viceconti A, Ristori D, Turolla A, et al. Effect of attentional focus instructions on motor learning and performance of patients with central nervous system and musculoskeletal disorders: A systematic review. J Funct Morphol Kinesiol. 2018;3(3)40.

  65. Kornuijt A, Kuijer PPFM, van Drumpt RA, Siebelt M, Lenssen AF, van der Weegen W. A high physical activity level after total knee arthroplasty does not increase the risk of revision surgery during the first twelve years: A systematic review with meta-analysis and GRADE. Knee. 2022;39:168–84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.knee.2022.08.004.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  66. Van Zaanen Y, Hoorntje A, Koenraadt KLM, Van Bodegom-Vos L, Kerkhoffs GMMJ, Waterval-Witjes S, et al. Non-surgical treatment before hip and knee arthroplasty remains underutilized with low satisfaction regarding performance of work, sports, and leisure activities. Acta Orthop. 2020;91(6):717–23.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  67. Hoorntje A, Kuijer PPFM, Koenraadt KLM, Waterval-Witjes S, Kerkhoffs GMMJ, Mastbergen SC, et al. Erratum: Return to sport and work after randomization for knee distraction versus high tibial osteotomy: Is there a difference. J Knee Surg. 2021;00(1). https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0040-1721027).

  68. Coenen P, Hulsegge G, Daams JG, Van Geenen RC, Kerkhoffs GM, Van Tulder MW, et al. Integrated care programmes for sport and work participation, performance of physical activities and quality of life among orthopaedic surgery patients: A systematic review with meta-analysis. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med. 2020;6(1):1–12.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Faridi van Etten – Jamaludin for her assistance with the development of the search strategy.

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or non-profit sector.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery & Sports Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Sten van der Wilk, Alexander Hoorntje, Leendert Blankevoort & Gino M. M. J. Kerkhoffs

  2. Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Program Musculoskeletal Health, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Alexander Hoorntje & Gino M. M. J. Kerkhoffs

  3. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Amphia Hospital, Breda, The Netherlands

    Alexander Hoorntje & Rutger van Geenen

  4. Department Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam Movement Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    P. Paul F. M. Kuijer

Authors
  1. Sten van der Wilk
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Alexander Hoorntje
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Leendert Blankevoort
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Rutger van Geenen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Gino M. M. J. Kerkhoffs
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. P. Paul F. M. Kuijer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

SvdW, AH and PK participated in the design of the study, carried out the systematic review including selection of studies, data-extraction, performance of the meta-analyses, and drafted the manuscript. LB participated in the manuscript design and revised the manuscript. GK and RvG revised the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sten van der Wilk.

Ethics declarations

Ethics approval and consent to participate

Not applicable.

Consent to publication

Not applicable.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Supplementary Information

Additional file 1.

Full description of performed search in Medline and Embase.

Additional file 2.

Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale.

Additional file 3.

GRADE results.

Additional file 4.

Forest plot of meta-analysis: physical outcome measures for retrospective studies.

Additional file 5.

Studies and reasons for exclusion following full text screening.

Rights and permissions

Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article's Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article's Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated in a credit line to the data.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

van der Wilk, S., Hoorntje, A., Blankevoort, L. et al. Physical activity after revision knee arthroplasty including return to sport and work: a systematic review and meta-analysis including GRADE. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 24, 368 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-023-06458-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-023-06458-y

Keywords

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

ISSN: 1471-2474

Contact us