Feasibility of Ski Mountaineering for Patients Following a Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Descriptive Field Study

Simon Haslinger, Daniela Huber, David Morawetz, Cornelia Blank, Johanna Prossegger, Tobias Dünnwald, Arnold Koller, Christian Fink, Arnulf Hartl and Wolfgang Schobersberger
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Simon Haslinger: Institute for Sports Medicine, Alpine Medicine and Health Tourism, University for Health Sciences, Medical Informatics and Technology, 6060 Hall/Tirol & Tirol-Kliniken GmbH, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
Daniela Huber: Institute of Ecomedicine, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg 5020 Salzburg, Austria
David Morawetz: Institute for Sports Medicine, Alpine Medicine and Health Tourism, University for Health Sciences, Medical Informatics and Technology, 6060 Hall/Tirol & Tirol-Kliniken GmbH, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
Cornelia Blank: Institute for Sports Medicine, Alpine Medicine and Health Tourism, University for Health Sciences, Medical Informatics and Technology, 6060 Hall/Tirol & Tirol-Kliniken GmbH, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
Johanna Prossegger: Institute of Ecomedicine, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg 5020 Salzburg, Austria
Tobias Dünnwald: Institute for Sports Medicine, Alpine Medicine and Health Tourism, University for Health Sciences, Medical Informatics and Technology, 6060 Hall/Tirol & Tirol-Kliniken GmbH, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
Arnold Koller: Institute for Sports Medicine, Alpine Medicine and Health Tourism, University for Health Sciences, Medical Informatics and Technology, 6060 Hall/Tirol & Tirol-Kliniken GmbH, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
Christian Fink: Gelenkpunkt—Sports and Joint Surgery, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
Arnulf Hartl: Institute of Ecomedicine, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg 5020 Salzburg, Austria
Wolfgang Schobersberger: Institute for Sports Medicine, Alpine Medicine and Health Tourism, University for Health Sciences, Medical Informatics and Technology, 6060 Hall/Tirol & Tirol-Kliniken GmbH, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 9, 1-19

Abstract: Background: Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is socially relevant due to its high prevalence, high incidence and the affected population. A subpopulation of TKA patients exists that strives to be active and also return to sports after total joint replacement. In this context, a further group of TKA patients is interested in high-impact physical activities and want to proceed with such activities even after surgery. Focusing on winter sports, there is still a lack of evidence on whether ski mountaineering is feasible for this subgroup of patients. Therefore, this feasibility study examines the effects of moderate ski mountaineering on strength, balance, functional abilities and mental health in persons following a TKA. Methods: Eight patients (six males, two females; median age, 63 ± Interquartile range 9 years) with TKA were included in this study. The volunteers, who were pre-selected for a 7-day holiday in Sankt Johann (Tyrol, Austria), participated in five guided ski mountaineering tours. Statistical analyses of non-parametric longitudinal data were performed using analysis of variance. For gait parameters and the Feeling Scale, one-factor longitudinal models were used. Statistical significance was set at the level of p < 0.05. Results: A significant decrease in the S3-Check MFT stability index ( p = 0.04), a significant increase in general well-being ( p = 0.05), and a trend towards a decrease in general stress ( p = 0.1) were detected, while all other parameters were unaffected. Conclusion: A 7-day recreational ski mountaineering holiday had no negative effects on ski-experienced patients with TKA and seemed to increase well-being. Further studies should focus on larger groups and use controlled designs. Additionally, long-term effects should be evaluated.

Keywords: total knee arthroplasty; total knee replacement; return to sport; ski mountaineering; muscle fatigue (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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