Early Maximal Strength Training Is an Efficient Treatment for Patients Operated With Total Hip Arthroplasty

Husby VS, Helgerud J, Bjørgen S, Husby OS, Benum P, Hoff J. Early maximal strength training is an efficient treatment for patients operated with total hip arthroplasty.ObjectiveTo compare muscle strength, work efficiency, gait patterns, and quality of life in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) randomly assigned to either maximal strength training or a conventional rehabilitation program.DesignA randomized controlled study.SettingResearch laboratory, rehabilitation center, and physical therapy clinic.ParticipantsPatients (N=24) with osteoarthritis as the main reason for THA were randomly assigned to perform maximal strength training (n=12) or conventional rehabilitation (n=12).InterventionsThe maximal strength training group (STG) performed maximal strength training in leg press and abduction with the operated leg only 5 times a week for 4 weeks in addition to the conventional rehabilitation program. The conventional rehabilitation group (CRG) received supervised physical therapy 3 to 5 times a week for 4 weeks.Main Outcome Measures1-repetition maximum (1RM) leg press strength, 1RM abduction strength, rate of force development (RFD), work efficiency, gait patterns, and quality of life.Results1RM increased in the bilateral leg press (P<.002) and in the operated leg separately (P<.002) in the STG compared with the CRG. 1RM abduction strength in the operated leg (P<.002) and the healthy leg (P<.002) increased in the STG compared with the CRG. RFD increased in the STG compared with the CRG (Pg=.030), followed by a trend towards increased peak force in the STG (Pg=.053) (Pg = probability for differences between groups). Work efficiency tended to improve in the STG compared with the CRG (P=.065). No differences in gait patterns were revealed between the groups after the training intervention.ConclusionsEarly maximal strength training 1 week postoperatively is feasible and an efficient treatment to regain muscular strength for patients who have undergone THA, demonstrated by a significantly larger increase in muscular strength and a trend towards a better work efficiency in the STG compared with the CRG.