Early Postoperative Maximal Strength Training Improves Work Efficiency 6–12 Months after Osteoarthritis-Induced Total Hip Arthroplasty in Patients Younger Than 60 Years

Husby VS, Helgerud J, Bjørgen S, Husby OS, Benum P, Hoff J: Early postoperative maximal strength training improves work efficiency 6–12 months after osteoarthritis induced total hip arthroplasty in patients younger than 60 years. Objective: To assess physical outcome of early maximal strength training after total hip arthroplasty. Design: Six- and 12-mo follow-up of 24 (22) total hip arthroplasty patients randomly assigned to 4 wks of maximal strength training and conventional rehabilitation and to conventional rehabilitation only was conducted. After the intervention period, all patients attended conventional rehabilitation. Outcome measures were hip abduction and leg press strength, gait patterns, work efficiency, maximal oxygen consumption, and health-related quality of life. Results: Work efficiency was significantly higher in the strength training and conventional rehabilitation group compared with the conventional rehabilitation–only group after 6 and 12 mos by 29% and 30%, respectively. Leg press for the healthy leg and rate of force development for the operated leg were significantly higher in the strength training and conventional rehabilitation group compared with the conventional rehabilitation–only group 12 mos postoperatively by 36% and 74%, respectively. Conclusions: This study demonstrates higher work efficiency after 6 and 12 mos and improved rate of force development after 12 mos in total hip arthroplasty patients who performed early maximal strength training combined with conventional rehabilitation after total hip arthroplasty surgery compared with total hip arthroplasty patients receiving conventional rehabilitation only. However, the study indicates that a prolonged maximal strength training program and aerobic endurance training are required to fully recover total hip arthroplasty patients.