title: Sport and activity restrictions following total ankle replacement: A survey of orthopaedic foot and ankle specialists.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Despite an increasing utilization of total ankle replacement, surgeons have little guidance with regards to physical activity and sport participation recommendations following the procedure.
  
  
  METHODS
  Orthopaedic foot and ankle specialists were surveyed as to the activity and sports restrictions they place on their patients following ankle replacement. Fifty sports and activities were included and the results were used to derive a set of consensus recommendations. Of the 1063 surgeons that were sent the survey, 173 responded, yielding a response rate of 16.3%.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In general, surgeons were comfortable with aerobic or low impact sports and activities. Boot immobilized sports represented a grey area with the determination of whether or not to allow them based largely on the prior experience of the patient. High impact, cutting and jumping sports and activities were largely discouraged. Young age, high BMI and poor bone quality led surgeons to be more restrictive.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These consensus recommendations serve as a useful guideline for surgeons and help patients set appropriate expectations for the procedure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
authors.forename: Alec A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Macaulay
authors.affiliation: The Upstate Bone and Joint Center, 6620 Fly Road, Suite 100, East Syracuse, NY 13057, USA.
authors.forename: Scott M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: VanValkenburg
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA. Electronic address: CWDiGiovanni@MGH.Harvard.edu.
authors.forename: Christopher W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: DiGiovanni
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D058737:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Ankle / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D009985:Orthopedics; D000068958:Return to Sport
keywords: Activity; Postoperative recommendations; Sports; Total ankle arthroplasty; Total ankle replacement