A Targeted Strengthening Program Following Total Hip Replacement.

NCT ID: NCT00222300

Last Updated: 2006-08-08

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 30 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2003-05-31
• Study Completion Date: 2005-12-31

Brief Summary

Total Hip Replacement (THR) is a common surgical procedure performed in people with hip osteoarthritis and appears to be effective in relieving pain and improving function. However significant wasting and weakness of the hip and knee muscles persists post-operatively. Although relief of pain and improvement of function are important outcomes following THR, weakness of the hip and knee muscles reduces a person's ability to manage stairs, slopes, public transport and results in persistent gait abnormalities. Since lower limb weakness is one of the risk factors for falls, it is important that patients undergo a strengthening program post-operatively. The hypothesis is that lower limb strength and function will be better in patients who undergo a strengthening program post-operatively than in those who have usual care.

Detailed Description

Total Hip Replacement (THR) is a common surgical procedure performed in people with hip osteoarthritis and appears to be effective in relieving pain and improving function. However significant quadriceps atrophy and weakness persist post-operatively. Although relief of pain and improvement of function are important outcomes following THR, weakness of the hip and knee muscles reduces a person's ability to manage stairs, slopes, public transport and results in persistent gait abnormalities. Since lower limb weakness is one of the risk factors for falls, it is important that this is appropriately addressed.

The study examines the effect of an eight-week task-specific strengthening program on lower limb function in patients following THR in a randomized controlled trial. The experimental program is being conducted as a circuit in a gymnasium environment. Changes on specific measures of physical function of patients in the Experimental Group will be compared with those of patients in a Control Group who will continue with the standard care program provided at Austin Health.

Outcome measures include:lower limb muscle strength using a step test, pain, stiffness, and function as reported on the WOMAC questionnaire, quality of life using the AQoL questionnaire, the Timed Up-and-Go test. Walking tests will also be conducted. These include:

1. Walking pattern, recorded on an instrumented mat

2. Walking endurance measured by the 6-minute walk test.

3. Analysis of hip joint torques using 3-D motion analysis.

Conditions

Total Hip Joint Replacement

Keywords

Total hip replacement; Strength training; Gait analysis

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: SINGLE

Interventions

Strength training program

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• primary uncomplicated total hip joint replacement 6-8 weeks prior to enrolment.
• able to walk 45m independently with or without walking aid.
• able to comprehend instructions
• prior joint replacement on the other side at least 12 months previously

Exclusion Criteria

• unable to fully weight-bear on affected limb
• pre-existing neurological or orthopaedic condition affecting gait
• revision surgery
• post-operative complications, e.g. wound infection
• uncontrolled systemic disease

• Minimum Eligible Age: 0 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

University of Melbourne

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Principal Investigators

Mary P Galea, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University of Melbourne

Locations

Austin Health

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Countries

Australia

Other Identifiers

H2002/01532

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id