Cycling after operation for total hip or total knee replacement

Relatively few elderly people used to practice intensive and competitive sports activities. Following operations on joints of the lower extremity, such as total hip or knee replacement, most patients decrease their physical activity. Sometimes they are even unable to walk without an assisting device. The activation of the hip joint articulation among cyclists is very restricted, since the pelvis does not have practically any mobility. Lowering of the pedal, which requires the more important effort, is carried out by the extensors of the hip, but especially by those of the knee as well as the foot flexors. In cycling, the load on the articulations of the hips is practically reduced, in spite of the great effort. The load placed by the body weight on the hip joint, even in ascents, is reduced during this exercise, though the risk of prosthesis loosening is apparently very small. Knee joints are much more engaged during biking, but it is still considered as low-impact sport, compared to weight-bearing activities such as jogging and even walking.