Can Functional Assessment Tools Reflect Balance Abilities at 3 Months after Total hip Arthroplasty?

Abstract

| Abstract |1 ) PURPOSE: This study was conducted to determine if the Harrison hip score (HHS), a tool for assessing hip joint function, and the Burg balance scale (BBS), a general balance assessment tool, actually reflect the balance ability of total hip arthroplasty (THA) patients 3 months after surgery. In addition, this study investigated the initial weight distribution strategy for bilateral lower extremity after THA surgery to understand the balance of THA patients. METHODS: Fourteen 3-month THA patients performed static dual standing and sit-to-stand (STS) tasks. Ground reaction forces on each leg were collected to calculate the weight distribution symmetricity (SWD), and the HHS, functional HHS (f-HHS), and BBS were evaluated.Correlation analyses between SWD and the HHS (also f-HHS) and BBS were then applied to the THA patients.