Get it moving: Return to activity and sport following primary total knee arthroplasty is not associated with increased adverse events.

Abstract

Return to sport (RTS) after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is an increasingly important patient expectation, yet current recommendations remain heterogeneous. This editorial summarises contemporary evidence on RTS after TKA, highlighting patient selection, biomechanical considerations, surgical technique, implant technology and rehabilitation. Current evidence supports an individualised approach based on preoperative activity level, sporting experience and the demands of each sport. Despite this approach, no evidence-based recommendations are currently available. Low-impact activities can be recommended to most patients, whereas selected individuals may safely resume higher-impact sports following structured rehabilitation and appropriate counselling. Importantly, current evidence has not demonstrated a definitive increase in implant-related complications associated with RTS after TKA.