Effects of task-specific training on walking and sit-to-stand after total hip replacement

Twenty subjects with total hip replacement (THR) who were still experiencing movement problems at an average of 12.7 months post-operation undertook a six week outpatient program based on task-specific training of functional activities. All subjects demonstrated improved performance of walking and sit-to-stand after the training period. Specifically, scores on the ratings of occurrence of critical biomechanical components of the two tasks increased. In addition, step lengths of both legs, stride length and peak weight on the side of the most recent THR during the extension phase of sit-to-stand all improved significantly. This descriptive study suggests that task-specific training may assist individuals to improve performance of walking and sit-to-stand even if undertaken many months after a THR.