AAHKS Press Releases

Media Contact: Denise Smith Rodd drodd@operationwalkglobal.org
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Is Exercising at Home After a Hip Replacement as Good as Formal Physical Therapy?

For Immediate Release

Dallas, November 7, 2015 — The study, “Formal Physical Therapy after Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty May Not Be Necessary,” presented at the 25th Annual Meeting of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons (AAHKS) on November 7, 2015 questioned whether formal outpatient physical therapy  is necessary following total hip replacement surgery.

Matthew S. Austin, MD and co-authors Brian T. Urbani, MS, James J. Purtill, MD, William J. Hozack, MD, Richard H. Rothman, MD, PhD, and Javad Parvizi, MD, FRCS separated patients into two groups: those who followed a prescribed exercise program at home and those who received two to three sessions of formal physical therapy over two months after surgery. Surgeons examined the patients after one month and after six months and found no significant difference in their outcomes.

The study concluded that “formal OPT is not superior to prescribed, patient-directed home exercises.” The authors point out that they have “moved away from routinely prescribing outpatient physical therapy” to patients who have had total hip replacement surgery, and that more research needs to be done.

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About the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons:

Established in 1991, the mission of AAHKS is to advance hip and knee patient care through education and advocacy. AAHKS has a membership of over 3,700 surgeons. For more information, visit www.AAHKS.org.

Contact:
Denise Smith Rodd
drodd@operationwalkglobal.org