The effectiveness of supplementary arm and upper body exercises following total hip arthroplasty for osteoarthritis in the elderly: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Objective:

To determine whether arm and upper body exercises in addition to the standard rehabilitation programme improve outcomes after hip arthroplasty.

Design:

Prospective, parallel, randomized, controlled trial.

Setting:

Orthopaedic and rehabilitation departments.

Subjects:

A total of 70 patients >60 years of age, who underwent hip replacement, out of 98 eligible candidates after exclusion criteria were implemented.

Interventions:

The study group took part in the supplementary arm and upper body exercise programme to be compared with the standard rehabilitation programme group.

Main outcome:

The primary outcome was a Harris Hip Score. Secondary outcomes were: Hand grip strength and Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey. Outcomes were assessed preoperatively, two weeks after surgery and at 12 weeks follow-up.

Results:

In the intervention group, significant improvements were found: in functional ability – Harris Hip Score after two (mean difference = 4.7 points) and 12 (mean difference = 5.85 points) weeks; in muscle strength – handgrip for both hands (mean difference for dominant hand = 4.16 and for the other hand = 2.8) after 12 weeks; and in role–physical dimension SF-36 Health Survey (mean difference = 6.42 points) after 12 weeks.

Conclusion:

Results of this study indicate that arm and upper body exercises in addition to the standard rehabilitation programme improve outcomes 12 weeks after hip arthroplasty.