Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Early functional training is important for function recovery of the hip after elder total hip arthroplasty (THA).
OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of gluteus maximus and gluteus medius strength exercise on function recovery of the hip following elder THA.
METHODS: Totally 60 THA elder patients were randomly allocated into rehabilitation group and control group. Conventional rehabilitation principles were conducted in the control group, while gluteus maximus and gluteus medius strength training was emphasized besides conventional principles in the rehabilitation group.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: In the rehabilitation group, the strength of gluteus maximus involved was 78.13% to intact side, and 75.28% of gluteus medius. In the control group, the strength of gluteus maximus and gluteus medius were 63.32% and 61.32% to intact side respectively. There was 1 patient with Trendelenburg sign in the rehabilitation group, while 8 patients in the control group. The strength of gluteus maximus and gluteus medius in the rehabilitation group was significantly better than that in the rehabilitation group (P < 0.01). The mean Harris score was 90.79 in the rehabilitation group, and 76.88 in the control group; the function was significantly better in the rehabilitation group (P < 0.05). Strengthening exercise of gluteus maximus and gluteus medius of THA patients as rehabilitation protocols was good for enhancing hip stability, preventing dislocation relieving pain, transforming gait and facilitating function.