Revista de fisioterapias novedosas

Abstracto

Hip Abductor Strengthening Exercises Following Total Knee Replacement- A Need or Luxury

Karvannan Harikesavan, Chakravarty RD and Arun G Maiya

Total knee replacement (TKR) is a well renowned surgical procedure for those presenting with intractable joint pain and impaired physical function following end stage knee osteoarthritis (OA). It is well established that any exercise performed and supervised will improve pain and physical function in people with knee OA. Proximal muscle contribution especially the hip abductors are important in providing frontal plane stability, the stabilization of trunk and hip during walking, maintaining the femoropelvic alignment, femoral head stability and transferring the forces from the lower limbs to the pelvis and considered as important for enhanced functional performance. Recent studies have proven that proximal muscle weakness especially hip abductors play a vital role in knee joint function and a significant reduction in hip abductor strength observed in knee OA. Hip abductor strengthening exercises given post TKR could possibly enhance physical function and pain, might share a contribution similar to quadriceps strength in improving functional performance. Hip abductor strengthening exercises could be a key component in rehabilitation following TKR for enhanced physical function. This review attempts to report the evidence supporting the involvement of the hip abductor strength and its influence on pain and physical functional in post total knee replacement.