A Targeted Strengthening Program Following Total Hip Replacement.

August 7, 2006 updated by: University of Melbourne
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.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

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.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment

30

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Australia
    • Victoria
      • Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 3084
        • Austin Health

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

1 second and older (Child, Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

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

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Single

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Lower limb strength using a step test

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Pain, stiffness and function using the WOMAC questionnaire.
Function using the Timed Up-and-Go Test.
Quality of life using the AQoL
Spatiotemporal measures of walking using an instrumented mat.
Hip joint torques using 3-D motion analysis.

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

University of Melbourne

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start

May 1, 2003

Study Completion

December 1, 2005

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

September 13, 2005

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

September 13, 2005

First Posted (Estimate)

September 22, 2005

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimate)

August 8, 2006

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

August 7, 2006

Last Verified

October 1, 2003

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Other Study ID Numbers

  • H2002/01532

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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