Physical activity did not change at 6 months , and a small to moderate improvement was found at 12 months postsurgery , despite large improvements in quality of life , pain , and physical function .
Reasons for the lack of increased PA are unknown but may be behavioral in nature , as a sedentary lifestyle is difficult to change .
OBJECTIVE Little is known about the extent to which  physical activity ( PA )  levels change following total knee or hip joint replacement relative to pain , physical function , and quality of life .
Our objective was to conduct a systematic review and meta- analysis on changes in PA relative to pain , quality of life , and physical function  after total knee or hip joint replacement .
Small Increase of Actual Physical Activity 6 Months After Total Hip or Knee Arthroplasty
Abstract Limitation in daily physical activity is one of the reasons for total hip arthroplasty ( THA ) or total knee arthroplasty ( TKA ) . However , studies of the effects of THA or TKA generally do not determine actual daily activity as part of physical functioning . We determined the effect of THA or TKA on patients ’ actual physical activity and body function ( pain , stiffness ) , capacity to perform tasks , and self-reported physical functioning . We also assessed whether there are differences in the effect of the surgery between patients undergoing THA or TKA  and whether the improvements vary between these different outcome measures . We recruited patients with long-st and ing end-stage osteoarthritis of the hip or knee awaiting THA or TKA .  Measurements were performed before surgery and 3 and 6 months after surgery . Actual physical activity improved by 0.7 % . Patients ’ body function , capacity , and self-reported physical functioning also improved . The effects of the surgery on these aspects of physical functioning were similar for THA and TKA . The effect on actual physical activity ( 8 % ) was smaller than on body function ( 80%–167 % ) , capacity ( 19%–36 % ) , and self-reported physical functioning ( 87%–112 % ) . Therefore , in contrast to the large effect on pain and stiffness , patients ’ capacity , and their self-reported physical functioning , the improvement in actual physical activity of our patients was less than expected 6 months after surgery . Level of Evidence : Level I , prospect i ve study . See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence
Physical activity did not change at 6 months , and a small to moderate improvement was found at 12 months postsurgery , despite large improvements in quality of life , pain , and physical function .
Reasons for the lack of increased PA are unknown but may be behavioral in nature , as a sedentary lifestyle is difficult to change .
OBJECTIVE Little is known about the extent to which  physical activity ( PA )  levels change following total knee or hip joint replacement relative to pain , physical function , and quality of life .
Our objective was to conduct a systematic review and meta- analysis on changes in PA relative to pain , quality of life , and physical function  after total knee or hip joint replacement .