Satisfaction with return to sports after unicompartmental knee arthroplasty and what type of sports are patients doing

Purpose: The present study provides insight into patient satisfaction with return to sports after unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) and to what type of activities patients return. This is important because indications for UKA have expanded and younger and more active patients undergo surgery currently. Methods: Patients who received a UKA were contacted between 12 and 24 months' post-surgery, receiving a questionnaire to evaluate postoperative satisfaction with return to sports, level of return, type of activities performed pre- and postoperatively, and (activity) outcome scores (NRS, UCLA, HAAS). Descriptive statistical analysis focused on the influence of patients' sex and age, and a regression model was fitted to assess the predictors for high satisfaction postoperatively. Results: One hundred and sixty-four patients (179 UKAs) with a mean age of 62.3 years responded at an average follow-up of 20.2 months. Preoperatively, 132 patients (81%) participated in sports, which increased to 147 patients (90%) after UKA. Analyzing outcomes for each knee individually, satisfaction with return to sports was recorded in 83% (149/179). Return to a higher or similar level was reported in 85.4% of the cases (117/137). Most common sports after UKA were cycling (45%), swimming (38%), and stationary cycling (27%). Overall, 93.9% of patients were able to return to low impact sports, 63.9% to intermediate and 32.7% to high impact sports. Regarding activity scores, preoperative NRS score improved from 6.40 ± 2.10 to 1.33 ± 1.73 postoperatively (p < .001). The mean preoperative UCLA score improved from 5.93 ± 2.19 to 6.78 ± 1.92 (p < .001) and HAAS score from 9.13 ± 3.55 to 11.08 ± 2.83 postoperatively (p < .001). Regression analyses showed that male sex, preoperative UCLA score and sports participation predicted high activity scores postoperatively. Conclusion: The vast majority of patients undergoing medial UKA returned to sports postoperatively, of which over 80% was satisfied with their restoration of sports ability. Male patients, patients aged ≥ 70, and patients who participated in low-impact sports preoperatively achieved the highest satisfaction rates. Regarding type of sports, male patients and patients aged ≤ 55 were most likely to return to high and intermediate impact sports. This study may offer valuable information to help manage patients' expectations regarding their ability to return to sports based on demographics and type of preoperative sporting activities. Level of Evidence: Case series; Level of evidence IV.