To explore the impact of physical activity and inactivity on full RTW in patients receiving knee arthroplasty.
This prospective cohort study used the data from the BAAS clinical pathway. Participants were equipped with a 3-axis accelerometer (PAM 2.0) worn on the ankle from 07:00 AM to 11:00 PM daily (including weekends), for two weeks before and six weeks after knee arthroplasty. Tracking movement intensity was classified into light (1.4-3 METs), moderate (3-5 METs), and vigorous (>5 METs) levels. Periods of inactivity (1.4 METs) lasting at least 30 minutes were also recorded. The primary outcome, the time from surgery to the first day of full RTW, was analyzed using generalized linear model regression to assess the relationship between activity levels, inactivity periods, and full RTW.
The study analyzed 6,497 days from 151 patients. Activity metrics were no significant predictors of RTW (p-values ranging from 0.10 to 0.27). However, prolonged periods of inactivity were significantly associated with delayed RTW (p 0.0001), with a beta-coefficient of 0.60 weeks [0.27-0.93] per each extra interval of inactivity during a mean day based on the pre- and post-operative measurement periods.
Physical inactivity, rather than activity, plays a clinically relevant role in predicting full RTW after knee arthroplasty.
Rehabilitation specialists, including physiotherapists, should consider integrating accelerometric sensors into routine practice to identify patients at risk of prolonged periods of physical inactivity. This proactive approach could lead to more tailored interventions, ultimately supporting timely full RTW.
Knee Arthroplasty
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