Sports After Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Cross-Sectional Web-Based Study Among Members of the Brazilian Hip Society.

BACKGROUND: Increasing numbers of younger, active patients have raised interest in safe resumption of physical activity after total hip arthroplasty (THA), although concerns persist regarding implant longevity and periprosthetic complications. Recommendations from international hip societies may not transfer to Brazil, where surgeon population, fixation preferences, payer mix, and patient profiles differ. Brazil lacks standardized national guidelines. This study aimed to develop consensus-based guidelines on permission or restriction of specific sports and to establish suggested timelines for resuming these activities after THA.

METHODS: A cross-sectional web-based national survey of full members of the Brazilian Hip Society assessed current recommendations after THA. There were 40 physical activities that were categorized as allowed, allowed when experienced, not allowed, or no opinion. There were three postoperative periods considered: less than six weeks, six to 12 weeks, or greater than 12 weeks to six months. Responses were analyzed with binomial testing to classify activities as recommended, recommended with caution, not recommended, or inconclusive. Recommendations were further compared between subgroups defined by surgeon experience and practice setting. Of 880 full members, 256 responded (29.1%); most had more than 10 years of experience (75.8%).

RESULTS: Of 40 activities, 34 (85.0%) were recommended, with nine of those (26.5%) refined to recommended with caution, two (5.0%) were not recommended, and four (10.0%) were inconclusive. There was no activity that was recommended within six weeks; most (79.4%) were advised between 12 weeks and six months. Recommendations were broadly consistent across experience and practice-setting subgroups, without significant differences after correction.

CONCLUSIONS: Most sports were considered safe after THA, with progressive reintroduction beginning at 12 weeks. High-impact and contact sports require caution and individualized guidance. These findings represent surgeon opinion rather than patient-reported outcomes and should be interpreted in view of unmeasured factors such as surgical approach and implant characteristics.