Effectiveness of Exercise Programs Following Total Hip and Knee Joint Arthroplasty

• Timed Up and go test [ Time Frame: Day 0 and Week 5 ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
• Western Ontario McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index [ Time Frame: Day 0 and Week 5 ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
• Activity-specific Balance Confidence Scale [ Time Frame: Day 0 and Week 5 ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
• Force platform [ Time Frame: Week 5 ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of balance exercises added to typical joint range of motion and muscle strengthening exercises on balance in patients following total hip or knee joint arthroplasty

Rehabilitation program following total hip and knee joint arthroplasty typically focus on joint range of motion and muscle strengthening exercises. Although the balance ability of these patients tends to be reduced, leading to limitations in mobility and activities of daily living, clinicians often assume that strength and joint range of motion exercises will ultimately lead to improvement in balance, making the typical exercise programs appropriate. However, the feasibility and effectiveness of introducing balance specific exercises during the post-operative period is unclear.

• Hip and Knee Joint Osteoarthritis
• Hip and Knee Joint Arthroplasty

• Other: Typical range of motion and muscle strengthening exercises, and balance exercises
  Seven typical exercises, and three balance exercises, 10 times each, 3 times a day.
• Other: Typical group
  Seven typical exercises, 10 times each, 3 times a day

• Experimental: Balance group
  Typical plus balance exercises
  Intervention: Other: Typical range of motion and muscle strengthening exercises, and balance exercises
• Typical group
  Typical exercises
  Intervention: Other: Typical group

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients with primary unilateral total hip or knee joint arthroplasty.
• Patients who had been advised to weight bear as tolerated following surgery.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients who had been advised by their surgeon to remain non-weight bearing or partial weight bearing on the operated leg or unoperated leg.
• Patients with neurological conditions such as hemiplegia, peripheral neuropathy, Parkinsons disease, multiple sclerosis, or spinal cord compression that might affect balance.