Hip abductor strengthening improves physical function following total knee replacement: One-year follow-up of a randomized pilot study

Background: The most common surgical procedure for individuals with significant pain and reduced physical function due to end-stage knee osteoarthritis is total knee replacement (TKR). The hip abductors are known for stabilising the trunk and hip while walking, keeping the lower limbs in place, and transmitting stresses from the lower limbs to the pelvis. Methods: At Life Kare Hospital in Amritsar, India, an observer blinded randomised pilot trial was conducted. The experimental group received hip abductor strengthening coupled with conventional rehabilitation (n=10), while the control group received standard rehabilitation alone (n=10). Performance-based outcomes such as the timed up and go test, single leg stance test, six minute walk test, knee extensor strength, and hip abductor strength were used to assess physical function over the course of a year. Result: The study had eighteen participants, with an average age of 62.3 ± 5.7 years (10 males and 10 females). When compared to normal rehabilitation alone, improvement in hip abduction strength, single leg stand test was superior in the hip abductor strengthening group at 3 months and 1 year. Conclusion: In both the single leg stance test and the six minute walk test, hip abductor strengthening demonstrated superior results. Following complete knee replacement, hip abductor strengthening exercises have the potential to improve physical function.