[Early muscular strengthening after total hip arthroplasty: association of two models of rehabilitation].
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effect of combining two rehabilitation models during early-stage muscle reinforcement in patients having undergone total hip arthroplasty (THA).


METHODS
Our study was carried out on a total of 81 unilateral THA patients aged between 61 and 84. Forty-one control group (CG) patients participated in a standard rehabilitation (SR) program, whereas the 40 patients in the test group (TG) performed both SR and isometric exercises with electromyographic feedback. We performed three tests in each group, on the day before surgery (T(1)) and then three days (T(2)) and seven days (T(3)) after surgery. These tests enabled measurement of the integrated electromyographic peak (EMG(ipeak)) for the gluteus medius, the peak voluntary isometric strength (VIS(peak)) of each leg (i.e., both the operated and nonoperated sides) and the operated gluteus medius' maintenance time at 50% of the EMG(ipeak) during isometric exercises with electromyographic feedback.


RESULTS
For the operated gluteus medius, the TG's EMG(ipeak) values were similar to those measured in the CG (P>0.05) at T(1) and T(2). Likewise, the VIS(peak) values for the corresponding legs at T(1) and T(2) did not differ significantly. However, at T(3), the EMG(ipeak) of the gluteus medius and the leg VIS(peak) on the operated side increased in both groups and were higher in the TG than in the CG (P<0.001). Compared with the CG, the TG also displayed a longer maintenance time at 50% of the EMG(ipeak) for the operated gluteus medius during isometric exercises with electromyographic feedback.


CONCLUSIONS
This preliminary study showed that a combination of two rehabilitation models leads to faster post-THA recovery than the application of SR alone.
Temfemo
A
A
EA 3300 APS et conduites motrices: adaptations-réadaptations, faculté des sciences du sport, université de Picardie-Jules-Verne, allée P.-Grousset, 80025 Amiens, France. temfemo@hotmail.com
Doutrellot
P L
PL
Ahmaidi
S
S
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004576:Electromyography; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005246:Feedback; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*