Article

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of an exercise
program focusing on hip external rotator muscle on physical recovery in the early
post-operative period of total hip arthroplasty (THA).
METHODS: Patients who
underwent THA were randomized to an exercise group (n = 14) or a control group (n
= 14). In exercise group, the hip external rotator exercise program was performed
5 times per week for four weeks. Outcome measures were hip pain, hip range of
motion, muscle strength of lower extremity and Timed Up and Go (TUG) test.
RESULTS: Both the hip abductor strength (effect size = 0.60) and TUG test (effect
size= -0.53) in the exercise group improved significantly after the intervention.
CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study demonstrated that exercise program
focusing on hip external rotator muscle was an effective intervention, especially
in improving both hip abductor strength and walking ability in the acute post-THA
stage. Implication for Rehabilitation After THA,
in order to safely progress
patients back to their desired activity level, there is a need to develop rehabilitation strategies to expedite and promote the recovery during the acute
postoperative period. Exercise program focusing on hip external rotator muscle may lead to significant improvement of hip abductor muscle strength and gait ability in the acute post-THA stage.

Langue : ANGLAIS