Sporty with an artificial knee

Christiane Fux studied journalism and psychology in Hamburg. The experienced medical editor has been writing magazine articles, news and factual texts on all conceivable health topics since 2001. In addition to her work for, Christiane Fux is also active in prose. Her first crime novel was published in 2012, and she also writes, designs and publishes her own crime plays.

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Do sports with an artificial joint? “Important,” say orthopedic surgeons. Often much more is possible than many people believe. The orthopedist and knee expert Prof. Oliver Dierk reveals what to look out for.

50 is the new 60 - at least as far as the attitude towards artificial joint replacement is concerned: "30 years ago you hardly had any operations before the age of 60 - that is always moving forward," says Prof. Oliver Dierk, chief physician at the Schön Klinik in Hamburg-Eilbek in conversation with

Today it isn’t just the old lady on a stick who can hardly walk anymore who comes to see him at the clinic. "Today these are people who are in the midst of life". And those who place other demands on the quality of life: “The first thing they ask me is 'When can I do sports again?'” Reports the orthopedic surgeon.

The conflict between overworking and underloading

When it comes to sport and joint prostheses, there is a conflict to be bridged: “On the one hand, there is more wear and tear when you are overloaded. This can provoke loosening of the joint. On the other hand, only active bones are healthy and firm and can give the prosthesis a secure hold. ”So too much protection is also not good for artificial knees and hips.

Jogging no, walking yes

In the past, patients were told: "Going for a walk is the only sport you can still do". But the attitude changed fundamentally. About three months after the operation, many sports are back. "Personally, however, I would not recommend jogging," says the knee specialist. The problem is the landing. “In the dynamic of the landing process, the joint is stressed by a multiple of the body weight.” Nordic walking, on the other hand, is unproblematic.

Stressful ball sports

Ball sports such as handball and soccer are also critical: The high speed and the many changes of direction are unfavorable - not only for artificial joints. The surgeon knows what he is talking about, from 2000 to 2010 he was the team doctor for the HSV soccer team. He also advises against martial arts that involve bringing down the opponent: “A hip throw in judo results in considerable amounts Tensile forces, that's not for an artificial hip. "

Tennis better in doubles - at the back of the baseline

He can safely recommend cycling, golf, hiking, walking and swimming. Even tennis is possible: “It's better to play it in doubles, though, on the baseline.” There, the movements tend to be gliding, and the player has to stop more often at the net. On the other hand, Dierk advises against playing tennis individually. In addition, the ash floor is more joint-friendly than the hard court.

Skiing with an endoprosthesis, on the other hand, is standard today. “Experienced skiers in particular are very safe. But I don't allow a skiing accident! ”Says Dierk and laughs. The note also applies to cycling.

Fitness training is ideal

The ideal sports field with an endoprosthesis, however, is the fitness studio: "Whether strength training or cardio on the elliptical - the movements are carried out here in a very controlled manner, the risk of injury is minimal."

It would be ideal if skill exercises were also added. Because they train fine motor skills: "Squats on a rocking plate, for example." Intact muscles are not only strong, but also intelligent. “The muscles need to know what to do to provide the joint with ideal support. But they only learn that if they have to master the corresponding challenges. "

Yoga with minor restrictions

In principle, yoga is also very useful. “However, modern endoprostheses also have limitations in terms of mobility. Certain movements and positions are not possible with it. You have to agree with the surgeon which exercises are realistic. "

Basically today it is a matter of giving people back more joie de vivre as quickly as possible - “and sport is part of that for many.” Thanks to the rapid advances in joint technology, such interventions can now be recommended to comparable young patients with a clear conscience.

"Imitate nature"

"We try to imitate nature as closely as possible with the artificial joints - and we're getting better and better," says Dierk. However, the natural biological changes in the bone are still a fundamental problem. This leads to loosening at some point.

However, the vastly improved materials could potentially extend the time to joint replacement. "Today we use ceramics, which are incredibly hard and wear-resistant."

Better materials, longer lifespan

Hopefully this would make the joints more durable: “One reason that artificial joints loosen can be that microscopic abrasion particles settle between the joint and the bone. Modern endoprostheses significantly reduce this risk ”.

When it comes to inserting the prosthesis, one is also much further advanced than 30 years ago. Joint surgery was still a big deal. It is now routine. "The operations have lost their horror, says Dierk."

		Benefits / Risks	What do you have to pay attention to?
swim	especially recommended	gentle and invigorating without burdening your body weight	only crawl or backstroke, kicking the breaststroke is unfavorable for the knee and hip joint.
Cycle	especially recommended	cyclical movements, effective strength building, body weight largely rests on the saddle	Adjust the saddle correctly: the knee joints should be almost straight when the pedal is below.
jog	not recommended	high shock load during landing
fitness	especially recommended	can be carried out in a very controlled manner, therefore particularly low-risk	Instruction by a competent trainer in order to avoid incorrect movement sequences; train better on guided machines than with free weights
Alpine skiing	possible	Less stressful thanks to the more favorable turning behavior of modern skis	for experienced skiers with low-risk, soft driving behavior
Cross-country skiing	recommended	Even, guiding movements put little strain on the body, but it builds up strength endurance effectively	Especially beginners should prefer the classic technique, lateral forces on the knees and hips are reduced
yoga	recommended	Gentle on the joints through even, flowing, controlled movements	some exercises are not possible with artificial joints, prior clarification with the doctor or therapist
Football	not recommended	stressful due to hard shock loads and many changes of direction, also high risk of injury!
Handball	not recommended	hard shock loads and many changes of direction, also high risk of injury!
Martial arts	not recommended	Risk from throws and falls
basketball	possible to a limited extent	Avoid hard impact loads, jumps and rapid changes of direction	just exercise in a relaxed and playful way
Nordic walking	recommended	Relieving through the use of poles, less stressful with correct unrolling technique	Instruction by a professional trainer for correct execution
hike	possible	moderate load, preferably in hilly terrain	Use of poles recommended (downhill only with poles!), Avoid steep ascents and descents
sail	possible	no major load but high mobility, maneuverability required	Avoid cross movements of the legs, especially in the first time after a hip joint operation!
surfing	not recommended	Strong board strokes at high speed, quick maneuvers required, risky cross movements of the legs (attention with hip patients!)
Tennis (doubles)	recommended with reservations	Less running intensive than in the individual, playing position on the baseline, as there more gliding movements	Sand, ash pit or plastic floor recommended
Tennis (singles)	not recommended	Excessive stress from fast sprints and sudden braking
golf	recommended	can be carried out in a very controlled manner, therefore particularly low-risk