Hi Hamish.
It should go without saying that a TKR in someone of this age should only be
considered after all other management options have been exhausted. If a TKR
is the only option and the guy wants to continue with his tennis then why
not? He should make his own decision based on the available information and
being fully aware of the consequences should the prosthesis ultimately fail.
If he makes a decision to wrap himself up in cotton wool with the intention
of getting into his latter years with a pristine prosthesis then good for
him. If on the other hand he prefers the option of enjoying an active
lifestyle & taking a gamble that the prosthesis will probably fail at an
earlier stage then that's fine too - as long as he is prepared to accept the
consequences. At the end of the day its down to informed consent & quality
of life. Check out "Tennis after total knee arthroplasty" (Am J Sports Med.
2002 Mar-Apr;30(2):163-6). The population is older than the guy in question
but at 7 years these knees held up well to a considerable amount of tennis.
Philip Newton
Chartered Physiotherapist
Lilleshall Sports Injury Rehab Centre
UK
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