- A University of Essex study suggests that people with osteoarthritis should not be routinely discouraged from continuing higher-impact exercise based on joint replacement risk alone.
- Analysing data from 17,661 patients with knee or hip osteoarthritis, researchers found participation in higher-impact physical activity, such as running or tennis, was associated with 36 per cent to 48 per cent lower odds of needing a total hip replacement within 12 months.
- High-impact physical activity was also not associated with increased odds of needing a total knee replacement within 12 months.
- Dr Bernard Liew, who led the study, said: “There is a widespread perception that people with hip or knee osteoarthritis should automatically switch to low-impact exercise, such as walking or swimming. Our findings challenge that assumption.”
- The researchers caution that the study suggests an association rather than proving high-impact exercise directly protects against joint replacement.
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