Relationship of Total Hip Arthroplasty Postoperative Early Motor Function and Walking Ability

Abstract

We investigated the relationship between motor function and ambulation ability for 22 patients (24 hips) who underwent total hip arthroplasty at our hospital before surgery and at 1, 2, and 3 weeks after surgery. Compared to before surgery, there was no decrease in hip abductor muscle strength after surgery, but there were significant decreases in quadriceps muscle strength at 1 and 2 weeks after surgery. Possible reasons for the lack of decrease in hip abductor muscle strength after surgery are extension of the angle of rotation of the hip joint and alleviation of pain when walking. Since quadriceps muscle strength is related to the ability to walk with a T-handle walking stick after surgery, postoperative physical therapy programs should pay attention to the quadriceps muscles.