Resuming sexual relations after surgery can be an important aspect to a patient’s recovery, enriching their quality of life, yet it is rarely discussed. It is a subject that you may be embarrassed to ask about, but information that we feel needs to be addressed and shared.
Knee Replacement Surgery
In the United States, 84% of people who have had knee replacements are sexually active. One of the biggest concerns after total knee replacement is the ability to kneel during activities. This can have a big impact for men and women during sexual interactions.
One study in the Journal of Arthroplasty asked people about their sexual function before and after total knee replacement. They reported knee pain, loss of motion and inability to kneel as the most common factors limiting their sexual activity before surgery. It took two months on average for people in the study to return to sex after total knee replacement. About 60% reported no change in sexual activity, 7% had less sex, 16% stopped having sex, and only 15% reported having more sex.This study highlights a few important points:
Knee Replacement Surgery
In the United States, 84% of people who have had knee replacements are sexually active. One of the biggest concerns after total knee replacement is the ability to kneel during activities. This can have a big impact for men and women during sexual interactions.
One study in the Journal of Arthroplasty asked people about their sexual function before and after total knee replacement. They reported knee pain, loss of motion and inability to kneel as the most common factors limiting their sexual activity before surgery. It took two months on average for people in the study to return to sex after total knee replacement. About 60% reported no change in sexual activity, 7% had less sex, 16% stopped having sex, and only 15% reported having more sex.This study highlights a few important points:
- Sexual limitations before surgery are not completely eliminated after total knee replacement.
- You can expect only mild to moderate gains with kneeling during intercourse.
- You can expect gradual improvement in sexual function up to one year after knee replacement surgery due to diminished pain and improved motion.
There are differing opinions regarding when you can safely resume sexual activity after having knee replacement surgery. Our general guidelines are:
- Wait until knee incision is healed, normally 1-3 months
- Early in recovery, find alternate ways to be intimate beside intercourse
- Although there are normally no limitations in your physical activity after knee replacement,
you may have some discomfort with bending or kneeling - Take it slow and discuss with your partner what movements are comfortable for you and
what positions may cause soreness or tenderness - If you feel pain, stop
- Adapt to new positions that may offer more comfort and pleasure
- Have realistic expectations and advance your movement as you recover
- Talk to your surgeon if you have any questions
Hip Replacement Surgery
There are differing opinions regarding when you can safely resume sexual activity after having hip replacement surgery. Our general guidelines are:
There are differing opinions regarding when you can safely resume sexual activity after having hip replacement surgery. Our general guidelines are:
- Wait until hip incision is healed, normally 1-3 months
- Early in recovery, find alternate ways to be intimate beside intercourse
- Some surgeons will give you restrictions in your movement while your hip is healing, such as
crossing your legs or bending at the waist greater than 90 degrees. Follow your surgeon’s
discharge instructions. This is to prevent complications such as hip dislocation - You may encounter some discomfort in your physical activity during recovery; take it slow
- If you feel pain, stop
- Adapt to new positions that may offer more comfort and pleasure
- Share with your partner what movements are comfortable for you and what positions may
cause soreness or tenderness - Talk to your surgeon if you have any questions
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I resume intercourse or sexual activity after hip replacement?
How will I know when I am ready to resume sexual activity?
Will sexual activity be painful after my hip replacement?
What should I tell my partner about my hip replacement?
Which positions are safe during intercourse if I have hip precautions?
Why is it important to follow hip precautions during sexual activity? What can happen if I do not?
Is it safe to use or resume erectile dysfunction (ED) supplements or medications?
What about taking birth control after hip replacement surgery?
12 Common Sexual Positions for the Recovering Total Hip Replacement Patient’s Reference
- Green check √ mark shows a permissible sexual position.
- Red X means this position is not advised for patients recovering from hip replacement surgery.
Charbonnier C, Chagué S, Ponzoni M, et al. Sexual Activity After Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Motion Capture Study. J Arthroplasty [Internet]. 2014; 29(3): 640-7. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24018159
References:
I. A Guide to Returning to Sexual Activity Following Hip Replacement Surgery - AAHKS 2018
A Guide to Returning to Sexual Activity Following Hip Replacement Surgery - AAHKS (hipkneeinfo.org)
A Guide to Returning to Sexual Activity Following Hip Replacement Surgery - AAHKS (hipkneeinfo.org)
This article has been written and peer reviewed by the AAHKS Patient and Public Relations Committee and the AAHKS Evidence Based Medicine Committee. Links to these pages or content used from the articles must be given proper citation to the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons. Revised 2018.
References:
References:
- Issa K, Pierce TP, Brothers A, Festa A, Scillia AJ, Mont MA. Sexual Activity after Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Systemic Review of the Outcomes. J Arthroplasty. 2017 Jan;32(1):336-340.
- Kazarian GS, Lonner JH, Hozack WJ, Woodward, L, Chen AF. Improvements in Sexual Activity After Total Knee Arthroplasty. J Arthroplasty. 2017 Apr;32(4):1159-1163.
- Dahm DL, Jacofsky, D, Lewallen DG. Surgeons rarely discuss sexual activity with patients after THA; a survey of members of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2004 Nov;(428):237-40.
- Charbonnier C, Chague S, Ponzoni M, Bernardoni M, Hoffmeyer P, Christofilopoulos P. Sexual Activity after Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Motion Capture Study. J Arthroplasty. 2014 Mar;29(3):640-7.
II. Perceptions on Sexual Activity after Total Knee and Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Mixed Method Study of Patients, Partners, and Surgeons
https://www.orthoinfo.org/en/recovery/sexual-activity-after-hip-replacement/
https://www.orthoinfo.org/en/recovery/sexual-activity-after-hip-replacement/
Journal of Orthopedics and Orthopedic Surgery
Published on: June 29, 2023
Published on: June 29, 2023
