| Total hip arthroplasty (THA) and resurfacing hip arthroplasty (RHA) are indicated treatments for patients who suffer from advanced osteoarthritis of the hip joint. Traditional implants have limited survivorship and poor performance in patients under 55 years of age, though a significant increase in middle aged individuals requiring hip replacement has been documented. RHA devices have popularized for their suggested ability to increase range of motion and return patients to competitive level recreational activity in comparison to standard hip arthroplasty (HA) devices. The global scope of this work is to better understand functional outcomes following HA, in order to prescribe the appropriate treatment device, return patients to healthy lifestyles and reduce overall healthcare costs seen following HA due to development of comorbidities. In contribution to the larger scope, this work enhanced understanding of biomechanical and neuromuscular function following traditional and modern hip arthroplasty techniques during static and dynamic activities of daily living (ADL). This work validated the use of RHA by determining differences in functional recovery rate and ability in comparison to patients receiving traditional HA.Quantitative motion analysis, surface electromyography recording, clinical surveys, and postural control assessments were performed pre to post-operatively in THA, RHA, and control subjects. Pre-operative results indicated, reduced peak hip kinetics and kinematics, inappropriately timed glutei firing, and sound limb compensations in HA groups during gait, stair negotiation, sitting and standing maneuvers. Though improvements in both groups were seen post-operatively, the primary findings indicated typical biomechanical strategies recovered earlier in the RHA than THA group with noted deficits in the traditional group at one year. Summary statistics indicated limb symmetry and stability in the RHA group at six weeks while greater sway velocity and excursion area remained in the THA group at one year. Statistical mechanic techniques identified a trend towards antipersistant behavior in HA groups. Collectively, this assessment characterized biomechanical and neuromuscular deficits lingering in mid-term post-operative results in patients receiving traditional hip replacements. Use of resurfacing hip replacement devices may provide faster rate of recovery and superior functional ability and should be prescribed to appropriate candidates. |
