Early Rehabilitation After Total Hip Arthroplasty

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Early Postoperative Physiotherapy: A structured physiotherapy program including mobilization and therapeutic exercises initiated on postoperative day 1 and continued daily until discharge (5 days).

Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES): NMES applied to the gluteus medius muscle starting on postoperative day 1, administered daily for 5 days using standard stimulation parameters to enhance muscle activation.

Telerehabilitation: A 3-week home-based exercise program supported by synchronous video-based telerehabilitation sessions conducted three times per week after discharge.

Standard Postoperative Care: Routine postoperative care including wound monitoring and general medical follow-up during hospitalization. At discharge, patients receive a home exercise brochure without supervised rehabilitation or telerehabilitation.

Study summary

This study aims to investigate the effects of an early postoperative rehabilitation program combined with neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) and telerehabilitation on functional recovery in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA).

In the early postoperative period, patients commonly experience muscle weakness, impaired gait, and functional limitations that may delay recovery. Early rehabilitation has been shown to improve functional outcomes, while NMES may enhance muscle activation, particularly in hip abductor muscles. Additionally, telerehabilitation may support continuity of care following discharge by enabling supervised home-based exercise.

In this prospective study, participants will be assigned to either an intervention group receiving early physiotherapy combined with NMES and telerehabilitation, or a control group receiving standard postoperative care. Functional outcomes, gait parameters, quality of life, and muscle-related changes will be evaluated at predefined time points.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Timed Up and Go (TUG) Test — Preoperative (within 3 days before surgery), postoperative day 6 (at discharge), and postoperative week 4.
  Functional mobility will be assessed using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. The time required to stand up from a chair, walk 3 meters, turn, return, and sit down will be recorded in seconds.
• 10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT) — Preoperative (within 3 days before surgery), postoperative day 6 (at discharge), and postoperative week 4
  Gait speed will be assessed using the 10-Meter Walk Test. Walking speed will be recorded in meters per second (m/s).
• Stair Climb Test — Preoperative (within 3 days before surgery), postoperative day 6 (at discharge), and postoperative week 4
  Functional lower extremity performance will be assessed using the Stair Climb Test. The time required to ascend and descend a standardized flight of stairs will be recorded in seconds.

Trial sites (1)

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