Total Hip Replacement or Resistance Training for Severe Hip Osteoarthritis

To the Editor: Frydenhal et al. (Oct. 31 issue)1 report greater reduction in hip pain and improvement in hip function at 6 months after a total hip replacement than after resistance training among persons with severe hip osteoarthritis. However, the resistance-training intervention does not fully meet recommendations for best care in this population, a factor that may lead to the results favoring the hip-replacement group. First, a one-size-fits-all approach to resistance training contradicts recommendations that exercises should be tailored to a person's specific impairments or activity limitations.2 Recommendations endorse a combination of aerobic and cardiovascular training, as well as strengthening,.