Research article summary (published 29 Sep 2009):

Early maximal strength training is an efficient treatment for patients operated with total hip arthroplasty.

Full Abstract

Husby VS, Helgerud J, Bjørgen S, Husby OS, Benum P, Hoff J. Early maximal strength training is an efficient treatment for patients operated with total hip arthroplasty. OBJECTIVE: To compare muscle strength, work efficiency, gait patterns, and quality of life in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) randomly assigned to either maximal strength training or a conventional rehabilitation program. DESIGN: A randomized controlled study. SETTING: Research laboratory, rehabilitation center, and physical therapy clinic. PARTICIPANTS: Patients (N=24) with osteoarthritis as the main reason for THA were randomly assigned to perform maximal strength training (n=12) or conventional rehabilitation (n=12). INTERVENTIONS: The maximal strength training group (STG) performed maximal strength training in leg press and abduction with the operated leg only 5 times a week for 4 weeks in addition to the conventional rehabilitation program. The conventional rehabilitation group (CRG) received supervised physical therapy 3 to 5 times a week for 4 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: 1-repetition maximum (1RM) leg press strength, 1RM abduction strength, rate of force development (RFD), work efficiency, gait patterns, and quality of life. RESULTS: 1RM increased in the bilateral leg press (P<.002) and in the operated leg separately (P<.002) in the STG compared with the CRG. 1RM abduction strength in the operated leg (P<.002) and the healthy leg (P<.002) increased in the STG compared with the CRG. RFD increased in the STG compared with the CRG (P(g)=.030), followed by a trend towards increased peak force in the STG (P(g)=.053) (P(g) = probability for differences between groups). Work efficiency tended to improve in the STG compared with the CRG (P=.065). No differences in gait patterns were revealed between the groups after the training intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Early maximal strength training 1 week postoperatively is feasible and an efficient treatment to regain muscular strength for patients who have undergone THA, demonstrated by a significantly larger increase in muscular strength and a trend towards a better work efficiency in the STG compared with the CRG.

Author information

Author/s: Husby, Vigdis S (VS); Helgerud, Jan (J); Bjørgen, Siri (S); Husby, Otto S (OS); Benum, Pål (P); Hoff, Jan (J);

Affiliation: Faculty of Health Education and Social Work, Sør-Trøndelag University College, Trondheim. vigdis.s.husby(-atsign-)hist.no

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial

Journal: Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation (Arch Phys Med Rehabil), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Oct; vol 90 (issue 10) : pp 1658-67

Dates: Created 2009/10/05; Completed 2009/10/22;

PMID: 19801053, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 10/22/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip - rehabilitation Female Gait Humans Male Middle Aged

Muscle Strength Oxygen Consumption Postoperative Care - methods Quality of Life Recovery of Function Resistance Training - methods

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