Winters provides us with the unique opportunity to partake in some great winter sports, like ice skating on a frozen pond or downhill skiing. And while you may not have been able to do these things because of hip or knee pain prior to your joint replacement operation, you may be wondering if you can get back to doing some of the activities you love after your joint replacement. We explain which winter activities you can partake in and which ones should still be avoided after hip or knee replacement surgery.
Can I Ski Or Ice Skate After Joint Replacement Surgery?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to whether or not you can return to certain winter activities after knee or hip replacement surgery, but a few different factors can help determine whether or not specific activities may be safe. The three factors you and your doctor will want to take into account are:
- Age
- Pre-surgery activity level
- Which joint was replaced
For example, if you’re 68 years old, you weren’t all that active before surgery and you had your knee replaced, your surgeon isn’t likely going to clear you to play some pond hockey. However, if you’re 50 years old and you were very active prior to your hip replacement surgery, your doctor may say you can see how the hip feels during a short cross country skiing session and to work up your endurance from there.
We can’t stress enough how important it is to talk to your treating surgeon about whether or not a specific winter activity is safe for your new joint. We’re going to provide some basic advice below, but just know that it should never trump the individual advice you receive from your treating surgeon.
Due to the nature of the activity, the stress it puts on the joint and how likely trauma is to the area in the event of a fall or physical contact, the following winter activities are typically not advised for the average hip or knee replacement patient after their operation:
- Ice skating or ice hockey
- Downhill skiing
- Snowboarding
On the flip side, some winter activities that you may be able to partake in after joint replacement surgery and after receiving clearance from your surgeon include:
- Sledding
- Cross country skiing
- Snowshoeing
- Snowmobiling
- Ice fishing
Before jumping into any winter activity, talk to your treating surgeon and make sure you’re using common sense and stay within your limits. A hard fall on ice or snow can damage a newly replaced joint or force it out of place, so avoid potentially dangerous winter activities. That said, there are still plenty of winter activities that your new joint can allow you to do, so don’t be afraid to go out and enjoy this winter. For more information, reach out to Dr. Botero’s office today.
