Analysis of changes in the strength of muscles acting on the hip joint in patients recovering from hip arthroplasty

Magdalena Wilk, Bogusław Frańczuk

Magdalena Wilk, Bogusław Frańczuk – Analysis of changes in the strength of muscles acting on the hip joint in patients recovering from hip arthroplasty. Fizjoterapia Polska 2003; 3(4); 309-315

Abstract

Background. Observed changes in muscle strength are the basis for selecting therapeutic exercises and assessing rehabilitation outcome. The Lovett Scale is a subjective measure, so we attempted to objectivize the results using tensometric tests and objective measurement of muscle strength based on the method of Wotyczek and Zembaty.Material and methods. We studied 98 patients operated for degenerative changes in the hip joint. These patients were randomly divided into two groups: Group 1, rehabilitated over the first 7 days using a continuous passive motion device (CPM), and Group 2, which received standard rehabilitation. After 7 days the two groups received the same rehabilitation. Muscle strength was measured with the Lovett scale preoperatively and on the 3rd, 7th, and 11th days post-operatively, and again 1, 3, and 6 months later. At 6 months post-operatively we conducted tensometric measurements in a group of 20 patients.Results. The course of changes in muscle strength was similar in both groups. On Day 3 post-operatively decreased strength was noted in all tested muscles. In subsequent testing muscle strength increased, but for the first three months the increase was significantly higher in Group 1 (with CPM). These differences disappeared at 6 months post-operatively. The results from the Lovett scale were compared to tables with the results of tensometric measurements according to the Wojtyczek-Zembaty method. No statistically significant differences were noted.Conclusions. After hip arthroplasty using total prostheses muscle strength is restored to physiological norms within 6 months.

Key words:
hip replacement, Lovett muscle strength scale, rehabilitation
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