Lene Bastrup

Background
Total hip replacement (THR) results in pain reduction and functional improvements. However, it is suggested that these improvements are not followed by increases in physical activity level and return to usual activities postoperatively. Furthermore, it is unknown whether supervised rehabilitation affects the activity level as well as return to work after THR.

Purpose/Aim of Study
To investigate whether supervised progressive resistance training during the first 10 weeks after THR affects the change in physical activity level from baseline to 6 months after THR and the timing of return to work for the working population.

Materials and Methods
73 THR patients were randomly assigned to a control group (CG, home based exercise) or intervention group (IG, supervised resistance training in addition to home based exercise). Preoperative, 6 and 12 months postoperative self-reported physical activity was measured in metabolic equivalents (MET) by Physical Activity Scale (PAS) and days until return to work for the working population.

Findings / Results
Follow up was completed by 62 patients (85%). Changes in PAS scores from baseline to 6 months follow up were, mean [95% CI]: IG: 6.32 [3.5;9.1] METs and CG: 0.85 [-2.8;4.5] METs (p=0.02). Sick leave duration in the working population of the sample (n=25) were, median [range]: IG: 46 [6;161] days and CG: 57 [7;146] days (p=0.49).

Conclusions
Patients performing supervised resistance training in addition to home-based exercise increased their self-reported physical activity level more than patients performing home-based exercise only, during 6 months after THR however, the difference was eliminated at 1 year follow up. No significant difference was found concerning return to work.