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Sex-Specific Difference in Dynamic Balance Following Total Hip Replacement
Robin M Queen1,2, Daniel Schmitt3
1Kevin P. Granata Biomechanics Lab, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, USA.
Innovation in Aging
|July 28, 2021
Summary
Total hip arthroplasty (THA) leads to greater balance deficits in women and on the surgical limb. Sex-specific rehabilitation is crucial for improving outcomes in older adults post-THA.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Geriatric Medicine
- Rehabilitation Science
Background:
- Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a common procedure in adults aged 65 and older.
- While THA generally has high patient satisfaction, post-operative balance and mobility limitations, and potential sex-specific differences, are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate post-THA balance asymmetry during unilateral standing and dynamic balance tests.
- To test if balance performance is reduced on the surgical limb.
- To determine if balance deficits are more pronounced in women compared to men.
Main Methods:
- 127 primary unilateral THA patients (70 male, 57 female) underwent a 10-second single-leg stance test.
- Participants who passed the single-leg stance test completed the Lower Quarter Y-Balance Test (LQYBT) bilaterally.
- Asymmetry scores were calculated using anterior (ANT), posteromedial (PM), and posterolateral reach distances.
Main Results:
- Women had a significantly higher failure rate in the single-leg stance test compared to men (85.7% vs. 59.6%, p = .001).
- All patients demonstrated greater reach distances on the nonoperative limb across all LQYBT directions (p < .004).
- Men exhibited greater reach distances in the ANT (p = .004) and PM (p = .006) directions.
Conclusions:
- Post-THA, both the operative limb and female patients experience greater balance limitations.
- Novel findings reveal sex-specific patterns in balance deficits after THA.
- Sex-specific postoperative rehabilitation programs are recommended to enhance long-term outcomes, particularly for older adults with muscle weakness and balance impairments.
