title: Alpine Skiing With total knee ArthroPlasty (ASWAP): clinical and radiographic outcomes.
abstract: The aim of the study was to assess the effect of a recreational alpine skiing intervention on implant-related factors, such as loosening and wear, in patients with total knee arthoplasty (TKA). A group of 16 TKA patients were examined 2.3 ± 0.1 years after skiing about 80 days over three seasons inclusive of a ski intervention of 2-3 times per week (25.5 days) over a 12-week period. Mean follow-up period was 5.1 ± 1 years after surgery. All patients had excellent clinical and radiological outcomes. The average flexion was 120-130°, the average Oxford Knee Score increased from 15 points pre-operatively to 47.4 points post-operatively. An average Tegner activity level of 5.5 was assessed, indicating a very high post-operative activity level. No radiolucencies or osteolyses were observed in any of the radiographs. One patient sustained a meniscal tear in the contralateral knee. Recreational alpine skiing on intermediate terrain at moderate speed can be recommended after TKA. Analysis of mid-term follow-up has not shown any negative effect on the implant loosening or additional polyethylene wear.
authors.affiliation: University Clinic of Orthopaedics, PMU Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hofstaedter
authors.affiliation: Sportsclinic Austria, Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fink
authors.affiliation: University Clinic of Orthopaedics, PMU Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Dorn
authors.affiliation: Department of Sport Science and Kinesiology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pötzelsberger
authors.affiliation: Sportsclinic Austria, Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hepperger
authors.affiliation: University Clinic of Orthopaedics, PMU Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gordon
authors.affiliation: Department of Sport Science and Kinesiology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Müller
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007595:Joint Prosthesis; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D011859:Radiography; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012865:Skiing
keywords: Alpine skiing; knee replacement; radiolucency