Manual therapy intervention for a patient with a total hip arthroplasty revision.

Publication/Presentation Date

12-1-2007

Abstract

STUDY DESIGN: Case report.

BACKGROUND: A 73-year-old active woman with a total hip arthroplasty, who later had revision surgery, developed left hip and buttock pain 2 years after the revision surgery, subsequent to lifting her foot while seated. This movement was performed so that her spouse could assist her in putting on her sock and shoe.

CASE DESCRIPTION: During the first physical therapy session, the patient exhibited a forward-flexed trunk posture and difficulty weight bearing on the involved lower limb. The patient was successfully treated with manual therapy techniques and a home exercise program. The manual therapy techniques included long-axis hip distraction, lateral hip distraction, posterior-to-anterior hip joint mobilization, and a contract-relax proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation technique. The patient's home program consisted of long-axis hip distraction, performed by her spouse, and standing lower limb pendular movements into flexion and extension. Pain scale ratings, posture and gait observations, strength, range of motion, and return to functional activities served as outcome measures.

OUTCOMES: After 1 physical therapy visit, in which manual therapy techniques were utilized, the patient had a significant decrease in hip symptoms. The patient and spouse were compliant with the home exercise program and continued with physical therapy for 3 more visits, and the patient ultimately became symptom free. The patient returned to all previous activities, including household chores, cooking, and a walking program. The patient was contacted at 6 months, 1 year, and 4 years, and reported no recurrences of hip or buttock symptoms.

DISCUSSION: Manual therapy techniques and home exercises described in this case report were apparently effective in eliminating symptoms and returning this patient, who had total hip arthroplasty and revision surgery 2 years earlier, to all previous functional activities after a dressing incident produced hip and buttock symptoms.

Volume

37

Issue

12

First Page

763

Last Page

768

ISSN

0190-6011

Disciplines

Business Administration, Management, and Operations | Health and Medical Administration | Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods

PubMedID

18560188

Department(s)

Administration and Leadership

Document Type

Article

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS