Abstract
Although hip arthroplasty (HA) is done to effectively reduce pain and improve mobility and hence quality of life (QOL), this may not effectively restore biomechanics and improve gait as strength of hip muscles have been reported to remain weaker when assessed after 1 year of HA. Several studies done for assessing effects of strengthening exercises for varying periods at follow-ups of different intervals have been reported. This study was done to assess the effects of resisted hip abductors program given in initial phase following total hip arthoplasty (THA). Consecutive patients of HA referred for physiotherapy satisfying inclusion criteria were recruited (N=15). Patients were divided in 2 groups. Control group (N=7) given conventional therapy and experimental (N=8) given conventional therapy and resisted isometric hip abductor strengthening. Harris hip score (HHS) and strength measurement with modified sphygmomanometer (MoS) was recorded in each group, on the 3rd and 8th post-operative day (POD). Normal individuals (N=30) with comparable age and gender were studied to estimate the hip abductor strength with MoS. 11 of total cases were following hip fracture, 4 were AVN. On 3rd POD both groups were similar for age, gender, strength and HHS. Both groups on 3rd day had mean strength 31.87±4.57 (mean of normal 101.4±12.80) mm of Hg. Strength and HHS within groups improved significantly (p<0.001) on 8th POD. However, mean difference in strength was statistically significant in experimental group compared to control group (p=0.016), no significant difference seen in HHS (p=0.70). The study concludes that resisted isometric hip abductor strengthening exercises started early along with conventional physiotherapy are beneficial.