Prescribed post-operative exercise following total hip replacement surgery
Date
1999
Authors
McLauchlan, James
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Abstract
This study investigated the effects of a prescribed post-operative exercise program, as a complement to normal acute physiotherapy, on quality of life, functional capacity, walking ability, strength, and aerobic power following total hip replacement surgery. The participants, 10 men and 13 women, (mean age 66 years), were allocated to an exercise group (n=13), or a control group (n= 10). The experimental group took part in supervised cardiovascular and weight training sessions three times per week for eight weeks, commencing an average of 10 weeks after the operation. The control group were not given an exercise program, but were allowed to pursue their normal lifestyles for the eight week period they were in the study. Participants in both groups were tested at the beginning and end of the eight-week period for quality of life, functional capacity, walking distance, strength of hip muscle groups, and aerobic power. There were no significant differences between the groups in any of the measures at the start of the study period. All 23 subjects completed the program.
After the eight-week program, both groups exhibited significant gains (p < .05) in all measures. There were significant differences (p < . 05) in the degree of improvement between groups in all measures, the exercise group exhibiting superior performance changes.
These data suggest that a prescribed post-operative exercise program may improve quality of life, general functional capacity, strength and cardiovascular fitness, well beyond that expected from the normal acute physiotherapy protocol following total hip replacement surgery.