Top Hip Surgeons in San Francisco Speak
As one of the premier hip surgeons in San Francisco, I’ve had many patients who were both avid amateur athletes as well as some of the best professional athletes. They play very high contact sports like soccer, football and hockey. Many recent studies have shown that these athletes in the contact sports category develop knee and hip osteoarthritis more often than those men who are couch potatoes. One of the most recent studies is one by Swedish researchers looking into the matter. “Hip and knee osteoarthritis…are more commonly found in former male pro athletes than expected,” wrote co-author Magnus Tveit at Lund University in Sweden. He went on to note that “A previous knee injury is associated with knee osteoarthritis in former impact athletes but not in non-impact athletes.”
This study found that the risk of having hip or knee arthritis was 85% higher in high contact professional athletes. For athletes that have had to undergo knee or hip surgery, the risk was doubled. In comparison those men who had participated in little to no exercise, the amount was only 19%. This seems to match with my professional experience over the years as a hip surgeon in San Francisco.
The study interviewed more than 700 retired Swedish athletes between the ages of 50 and 93 who had played professional and Olympic level sports. This group was then compared against a group of 1,400 men of the same age who exercised some or not at all. The retired pro athletes included male athletes involved in high contact sports like soccer and hockey.
The Swedish study found that in particular hockey players had triple the risk of developing arthritis. While handball and soccer players had double the risk for developing arthritis. I like to point out that osteoarthritis is also known as “wear and tear” arthritis. This wear and tear occurs as the cartilage that cushions the joints begins to wear down. This loss of cartilage causes the bones to rub together, which causes pain, swelling and limits the range of motion.
It is important to remember that regular exercise is important for a healthy well being and staying fit throughout life. However, as this study points out it is wise to keep in mind that certain kinds of exercise or sport does may have negative affects later in life. But, as in most cases, the benefits of a healthy exercise routine outweigh the risk of arthritis.
Don’t let arthritis or other hip pains limit your way of life! If you’d like an initial consultation with one of the top hip surgeons in San Francisco, call my office today.
Dedicated to getting you back in the game,
Dr. K
Michael B. Krinsky, M.D., M.C.
20990 Redwood Road
Castro Valley, CA 94546
(888) 478-5688