Clin Orthop Surg.  2013 Dec;5(4):269-277. 10.4055/cios.2013.5.4.269.

Sexual Activity after Total Hip Replacement in Korean Patients: How They Do, What They Want, and How to Improve

• Yoon BH
• Lee KH
• Noh S
• Ha YC
• Lee YK
• Koo KH

• KMID: 1787029
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4055/cios.2013.5.4.269

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Concerns of patients on sexual activity after total hip arthroplasty have not been well studied in Asian patients. This study aimed to determine the following: (1) what are the concerns of patients related to sexual activity after total hip arthroplasty? (2) what are the changes in sexual activity after total hip replacement in Korean patients?
METHODS
Details of sexual activity and concerns were obtained using a questionnaire designed specifically for the study. The questionnaire was administered to 64 patients in a face-to-face interview at an outpatient clinic.
RESULTS
Preoperatively, 53.1% of patients experienced difficulties, primarily due to hip pathology and limitations of motion. The median time to the resumption of sexual activity was 3 months postoperatively, and most patients had no increase in the frequency of sexual activity after the total hip replacement. In 39.1% of patients were seen having difficulties with leg positioning following total hip replacement, and they were likely to change coital positions. The most common concern regarding sexual activity of patients was the fear of dislocation. Furthermore, patients with a higher stress level had lower satisfaction rates. Most patients were unable to obtain information on sexual activity following the total hip arthroplasty, and they did not consult with a physician due to the private nature of the topic.
CONCLUSIONS
Dislocation was the most common concern of patients during sexual activity following a total hip arthroplasty, and a higher stress level was found to be associated with a lower satisfaction rate. Because most patients were unprepared to consult a physician, the provision of appropriate information before a consultation might be beneficial.

Keyword

Sexual activity; Total hip replacement; Concern; Dislocation

MeSH Terms

Adult
Aged
Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip/adverse effects/*methods/*psychology
Female
Hip Dislocation/psychology
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Patient Satisfaction
Preoperative Period
Questionnaires
Republic of Korea
Retrospective Studies
Sexual Behavior/*psychology
Young Adult

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Change of sexual intercourse frequency after total hip replacement.

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