Promising outcome of a hip school for patients with hip dysfunction.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate, in an exploratory study, a hip school led by physical therapists for patients with hip dysfunction including pain.


METHODS
Physicians in primary care and orthopedic units consecutively recruited patients by residential area to a treatment group (T group; n = 77) and a control group (C group; n = 68), mean age 61.8 years, 59 men, 86 women. Ninety-nine of the 145 subjects had radiologic hip osteoarthritis. Outcome measures were the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP).


RESULTS
After hip school (6 months) the T group showed greater reduction on the subscales of pain and activity limitations (WOMAC) than the C group. The subscales sleep disturbances, pain, and physical mobility (NHP) showed improvement for the T group compared with at start. The results for the T group persisted after an additional 6 months.


CONCLUSIONS
A hip school may reduce pain and activity limitations and improve health-related quality of life for patients with hip dysfunction including pain.
Klässbo
Maria
M
Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. maria.klassbo@liv.se
Larsson
Gerry
G
Harms-Ringdahl
Karin
K
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000503:physiopathology; D010146:Pain / Q000503:physiopathology; D010352:Patient Dropouts; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D013997:Time Factors