Changes in Postural Stability Following THA for OA (CPS)

Changes in Postural Stability and Balance Confidence in People After Elective Unilateral Total Hip Arthroplasty for Osteoarthritis: A Prospective Cohort Study

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a common surgery that eases pain, restores functional movement, and improves the overall quality of life in people with severe hip osteoarthritis (OA). Unfortunately, problems with postural stability, commonly known as balance, are still noticed in people even years after the surgery. These postural stability problems typically result in falls. The aim of the proposed study is to investigate how THA surgery affects a person's overall quality of life, both physically and psychologically, in terms of postural stability and balance confidence (self-efficacy) within the first three months after THA for osteoarthritis. This prospective cohort study will focus on people over 60 years old.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Osteoarthritis, Hip
• Intervention / Treatment: Procedure: Total Hip Arthroplasty

Detailed Description

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the changes in postural stability and balance confidence during the initial three months after elective unilateral total hip arthroplasty for osteoarthritis. Specifically, the investigators aim to:

1. To evaluate change in postural stability between the DA and DL surgical approaches during the first three months after elective unilateral THA for OA, using both a clinical measure and an instrumented measure.

2. To evaluate change in balance confidence between the DA and DL surgical approaches during the first three months after elective unilateral THA for OA.

   Secondary objective

3. To compare the DA and DL approaches for activity levels, function, quality of life and pain during the first three months after elective unilateral THA for OA.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 90

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Canada
  • Ontario
    • London, Ontario, Canada, N6A 5A5
      • London Health Sciences Centre- University Hospital

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

People receiving elective unilateral total hip arthroplasty for osteoarthritis

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• ≥ 60 years of age, scheduled to receive an elective unilateral THA (DA or DL approach) for OA
• Ambulatory for a minimum of 10 meters with or without a mobility aid but without the assistance of another person
• Able to read, write and speak English
• Able to provide consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Bilateral THA
• Underwent THA surgery for a diagnosis other than OA
• Any condition that will prevent participants from completing the study such as having a significant neurological, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal condition as denoted by their physician.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

2

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort	Intervention / Treatment
Direct Anterior; This group will consist of people undergoing elective unilateral THA for OA using the Direct Anterior surgical approach	Procedure: Total Hip Arthroplasty; Total hip arthroplasty is a common surgical procedure performed in people with advanced hip osteoarthritis; Other Names: Total hip replacement
Direct Lateral; This group will consist of people undergoing elective unilateral THA for OA using the Direct Lateral surgical approach	Procedure: Total Hip Arthroplasty; Total hip arthroplasty is a common surgical procedure performed in people with advanced hip osteoarthritis; Other Names: Total hip replacement

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
The Balance Evaluation Systems Test (BESTest)	The BESTest is a comprehensive performance-based postural stability assessment tool. The BESTest consists of 36 items that assess each underlying component of the balance systems framework (i.e., static stability, motor systems, functional stability limits, verticality, reactive postural control, anticipatory postural control, dynamic stability, sensory integration, and cognitive influences). Each item is scored from 0 (severe balance impairment) to 3 (no balance impairment). The maximum total score is 108 points with higher scores representing better postural stability.	Pre-THA, and at 2, 6, and 12 weeks post-THA
The Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) scale	The 16-item ABC scale assesses the level of confidence a person has in performing a set of daily activities without losing their balance or feeling unsteady. The ABC scale evaluates balance confidence. Each item is rated on scale of 0% (no confidence) to 100% (complete confidence). The final score is the average of all 16-items. ABC scores can be categorized as follows: less than 50 is a low balance confidence, between 50 and 80 is a moderate balance confidence, and over 80 is a high balance confidence.	Pre-THA, and at 2, 6, and 12 weeks post-THA

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) activity scale	The UCLA activity scale measures physical activity on a scale from 1 ("no physical activity, dependent on others") to 10 ("regular participation in impact sports"). It has been identified as the most suitable scale for assessing physical activity levels in people undergoing total joint arthroplasty.	Pre-THA, and at 2, 6, and 12 weeks post-THA
The EuroQol-Five Dimensions-Five Levels (EQ-5D-5L)	The EQ-5D-5L is a generic preference-based measure that evaluates five dimensions of health-related quality of life: mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort (PD), and anxiety/depression (AD). Each dimension has five response levels representing no, slight, moderate, severe, and extreme problems. In addition to the five dimensions, the EQ-5D-5L includes the EuroQol-visual analogue scales (EQ VAS), which allow individuals to rate their health status on a scale ranging from 0 (worst imaginable health) to 100 (best imaginable health). By using the Canadian EQ-5D-5L value set, health state utility values can be assigned to an EQ-described health state, ranging from -0.148 (representing 55,555) to 0.949 (representing 11,111). This is referred to as EQ-5D-5L utility.	Pre-THA, and at 2, 6, and 12 weeks post-THA
The Western Ontario and McMaster Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) questionnaire	The WOMAC is a patient self-administered 24-item questionnaire divided into 3 subscales that assess pain, stiffness and joint function. For this study, a weighted and inverted conversion will be used for each domain with a maximum score of 100, where a higher score will indicate better overall health status.	Pre-THA, and at 2, 6, and 12 weeks post-THA
Preoperative Fall Assessment: History of falls (previous 12 months), circumstances of falls, and injury (major or minor).	A history of fall questionnaire will be provided to participants to ascertain any falls that occurred in the previous 12 months before the THA surgery, circumstances of falls, and if any injuries occurred. A fall will be defined as an "unintentional coming to rest on the ground, floor or other lower level". Injuries will be categorized as major or minor. A major injury is defined as any fall that necessitates medical attention for the treatment of a fracture, while a minor injury is a bruise or laceration, where medical attention may or may not have been necessary.	Pre-THA
Postoperative Fall Assessment: Prospective (daily) number of falls for 12 weeks post-THA, circumstances of falls, and injury (major or minor).	Participants will be provided with a journal to record any falls (daily), circumstances of falls and information on any injuries. A face-to-face meeting will be conducted during their postoperative appointments to rectify any missing information. A fall will be defined as an "unintentional coming to rest on the ground, floor or other lower level". Injuries will be categorized as major or minor. A major injury is defined as any fall that necessitates medical attention for the treatment of a fracture, while a minor injury is a bruise or laceration, where medical attention may or may not have been necessary.	2, 6, and 12 weeks post-THA
The Harris Hip Score	The Harris Hip Score is an outcome measure completed by the surgeon and evaluates four domains related to the operated limb: pain, function, range of motion and absence of deformity. The score ranges from 0 (lowest outcome) to 100 (best outcome). Scoring can be interpreted as poor (<70), fair (70-79), good (80-89) or excellent (90-100).	Pre-THA, and at 2, 6, and 12 weeks post-THA

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Western University, Canada
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Brent Lanting, MD, London Health Sciences Centre

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): December 27, 2023
• Primary Completion (Actual): October 21, 2025
• Study Completion (Actual): November 21, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: September 28, 2023
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: October 11, 2023
• First Posted (Actual): October 18, 2023

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): August 24, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 20, 2026
• Last Verified: July 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Osteoarthritis; Total hip arthroplasty; Fall; Postural stability; Balance confidence
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Musculoskeletal Diseases; Arthritis; Joint Diseases; Rheumatic Diseases; Osteoarthritis; Osteoarthritis, Hip; Surgical Procedures, Operative; Arthroplasty, Replacement; Arthroplasty; Orthopedic Procedures; Plastic Surgery Procedures; Prosthesis Implantation; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip
• Other Study ID Numbers: 123634

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No