Musculoskeletal Care of the Mature Patient
Sports, exercise and sex after a total joint replacement
To burn calories and improve your performance get a new joint -hip or knee that is. Sex after a total joint replacement, the ultimate athletic activity
Sexual relations are a legitimate but often embarrassing subject so patients shy away from the discussion. I have decided to address Sexual Relations through the following question and answer format. The illustrations are available by contacting the American Arthritis Foundation
Will I be able to resume sexual relations after joint replacement?
The vast majority of patients resume safe and enjoyable post-operative physical intimacy.
Many patients experience impaired sexual function with the progression of arthritis because of preoperative pain and loss of joint motion. With the elimination of pain and restoration of motion following joint replacement, one may return to the thrilling days of yesteryear.
When can I resume sexual intercourse?
While we discourage postoperative, inpatient coitus, intimacy may be resumed (or initiated) when comfort and motion allow. Just as individual recovery times vary; desire, emotion and functional restoration is a special process in everyone.
What positions are safe during intimacy?
Total joint replacement precautions as introduced at preoperative joint camp, and re-enforced at the time of hospital discharge, need to be observed at all times. In general, follow the dos and don’ts and positions illustrated in the graphics available form the aforementioned resources. Patient on Top, Partner on bottom; Patient on the bottom, Partner on the Top; Patient on side, Partner on side; Standing position for both patient and partner.
Most postoperative patients, male and female, prefer “passive” intercourse in the bottom position.
What should I tell my partner?
Good communication is essential so be frank and openly discuss your desires or lack thereof. Sex after joint replacement is a very individualized matter since the postoperative medications or symptoms following removal of the urinary catheter may delay restoration of normal physiologic functions
What should I avoid?
Basically anything that hurts or places your new joint in excessive flexion (knee toward chest), adduction (leg toward center of body) and internal rotation (toes turned inward).
When your surgeon indicates that it is safe to return to work or to the workout, it is safe to fully enjoy the entire range of physical intimacy
Our final goal is patient satisfaction and we try
