title: Functional recovery after hip resurfacing and rehabilitation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Surface replacement of the hip is aimed especially at active patients, and it seems to achieve optimal functional results in a short time if associated with a tailored rehabilitation protocol.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the functional outcome in a group of active patients after hip resurfacing.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical measurement and controlled laboratory study in a case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  Gait-analysis laboratory.
  
  
  METHODS
  8 patients and a control group of 10 subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients treated with Birmingham hip-resurfacing system and a tailored rehabilitation protocol
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical assessment (Harris Hip Score [HHS]) and instrumented gait analysis including muscular electromyographic assessment. Patients were assessed preoperatively and at 3 and 9 mo follow-up after surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  HHS showed a significant increase from the baseline to 3- (P = .008) and 9-month (P = .014) follow-up; 5 patients returned to sport. Gait pattern in the presented case series of patients improved substantially 3 mo postoperatively, and minimal further changes were present 9 months postoperatively. Residual abnormalities of time-distance and hip-kinematics parameters were consistent with a slow gait. A complete restoration of the muscle-activation pattern during gait was achieved.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hip resurfacing associated with a rehabilitation protocol based on the characteristics of the implant provides excellent clinical and functional outcome, especially for very active patients.
authors.affiliation: Rizzoli Orthopedic Institute, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Grazia
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Benedetti
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Berti
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Frizziero
authors.forename: Donata
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ferrarese
authors.forename: Sandro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Giannini
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001178:Arthroplasty / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004576:Electromyography; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D015207:Osteoarthritis, Hip / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000601:surgery; D020127:Recovery of Function