Playing the role of "House" actually caused Hugh Laurie to injure his leg.

It turns out limping on a cane for prolonged periods of time isn’t very good for you. Though the show finished on May 21st, 2012, back in 2009 Laurie was already having to consider leaving the show due to his leg injury as a result. 

After five years of playing Dr. Gregory House, who uses a cane to walk due to issues with his leg muscles, Laurie was nearly forced to quit the show because of the potential damage to that same leg. 

Laurie said at that point that he felt the show could maybe last until a ninth season, but was starting to lose his knees because of all the hip work involved with hobbling around with a cane. 

It was suggested that he invest in doing yoga to help remedy the problem. Obviously Laurie found a way to make it work, as the show continued past that season and ended in a very successful eighth season this spring. 

(Source)