older adult single leg balance on Thera-Band Stability TrainerAccording to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, there are over 200,000 hip replacements performed each year in the United States. The most common reason for hip replacement is osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis. “Hip School,” an exercise program for patients with osteoarthritis and hip replacement was developed in Germany in 1995 by orthopedic surgeon Thomas Horstmann and physiotherapist Georg Haupt. In the program, small groups of patients (10-15) exercise under the supervision of a physical therapist. Home exercises are also performed 3 to 4 times per week. The exercises focus on strength and balance exercises for 20 minutes, including:

  • 1-leg balance, 15-30 seconds for 5 reps on each leg
  • 1-leg balance with opposite leg movement for 1 to 3 sets of 15-25 reps
  • Hip lift for 3 sets of 15-25 reps
  • 2-leg calf raise with 2-second hold, 1 to 3 sets for 15 to 25 reps.
  • Patients progress from a stable surface to Thera-Band Stability Trainers.

In a paper published in the Journal of Geriatric Physical Therapy, German researchers wanted to compare their Hip School participants with a non-exercising control group of hip patients. Each group was tested before and after 3 months using an oscillating platform (Posturomed®) to measure their static and dynamic balance. The Posturomed quantified the participants’ center of pressure excursion and balance recovery after platform perturbation.

The Hip School training group had a significantly lower percentage of failures and movements to maintain their balance on the Posturomed, particularly in the medial-lateral direction. The authors concluded that the Hip School exercise program utilizing Thera-Band Stability Trainers for 12 weeks significantly improved dynamic balance in older adults with hip osteoarthritis and replacement compared to a non-exercising control group. In particular, exercise participants also improved their reaction to perturbation, which is a primary contributor to falls.

Reference: Boeer J, et al. 2010. Effects of a sensory-motor exercise program for older adults with osteoarthritis or prosthesis of the hip using measurements made by the Posturomed oscillatory platform. J Geriatric Phys Ther. 33(1):10-15

Visit the Thera-Band Academy Hip Arthritis Resource Center here

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