Down-Hill Skiing after a Total Hip Replacement?

This paper presents data on a group of 9 patients (12 hips) who underwent a total hip arthroplasty and subsequently engaged in down-hill skiing. Average follow-up was 6.4 years (range 1–13 years). Average time to return to skiing was 10.3 months after surgery. None of the patients reported difficulties during their skiing activities. Only one acetabular and one femoral component developed grade 2 loosening. None of the hips needed revision. The acetabular wear rate (0.16 mm/year) was comparable to those reported in the literature, although higher than another on average less active group treated with the same prosthesis by the same surgeon. A review of the literature on athletics after hip arthroplasty is given. Based on our early results and the literature, we feel that down-hill skiing is feasible for the THR patient, but they should be advised to ski with long turns on groomed slopes. Longer term follow-up studies are needed to address the issue of athletics after hip arthroplasties in general, and more specifically, of downhill-skiing.