Biomechanical Assessment of Functional Tasks Beyond Level Walking Following Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Scoping Review

The aim of this scoping review was to summarize and to synthesize the existing literature on the most performed functional tasks and their associated biomechanical outcomes following total hip arthroplasty (THA). Five databases, including Medline, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, and Ergonomics Abstracts were searched based on 3 main concepts: Total hip arthroplasty, functional tasks and biomechanical outcomes. Studies were screened based on titles and abstracts, followed by a full text reading conducted by two authors following inclusion and exclusion criteria. Eighty three studies with a total of 2047 THA and 170 hip resurfacing arthroplasty (HRA) patients were included. Postural balance was the most frequently evaluated functional task, followed by sit-to-stand and stair negotiation. Most participants were older than 60 years, and the surgical approach was infrequently reported. Patient-reported outcome measures were rarely reported alongside motion analysis, with the Harris hip score and the Oxford Hip Score being the most commonly used. Factors such as age, population characteristics, surgical approaches and follow-up durations may influence the biomechanical outcomes of hip replacement. Therefore, caution is warranted when generalizing these findings to all THA population. Further research on young THA and HRA patients in more demanding task such as squat and work-related tasks are required to better understand functional recovery and implant performance under higher mechanical loads.