Effects of Early Muscle Strengthening of Hip Abductor and Adductor Muscles after Surgery for Pelvic Fracture

Abstract

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to clarify the effects of muscle strengthening of hip abductor and adductor muscles just after surgery on gait at discharge. [Subjects and Methods] Subjects were twelve patients who had open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) for unstable unilateral fractures of the pelvis. Six patients started muscle strengthening exercises at two weeks after surgery (regular rehabilitation group, RR), and another six patients started muscle strengthening of hip abductor and adductor muscles at two or three days after surgery (early rehabilitation group, ER). All patients were assessed for free gait without a cane when they were discharged from hospital. Gait analysis was performed using the VICON 370 system with six cameras and four force plates. [Results] Walking speed, step length and cadence showed no significant differences between the two groups. The hip abductor moment of the ER group was significantly higher than that of the RR group. [Conclusion] Our results suggest that early muscle strengthening of hip abductor and adductor muscles might improve hip abductor moment at discharge. © 2009, The Society of Physical Therapy Science. All rights reserved.