Reducing incision length or intensifying rehabilitation: what makes the difference to length of stay in total hip replacement in a UK setting?

Authors: Peck, C.; Foster, A.; McLauchlan, G.

Source: International Orthopaedics, Volume 30, Number 5, October 2006 , pp. 395-398(4)

Publisher: Springer

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Abstract:

Minimal-incision surgery for hip arthroplasty and intensive post-op physiotherapy have both been shown to allow early mobilisation and to reduce hospital stay. Forty-five patients undergoing primary total hip arthroplasty using a standard posterior approach were compared with 51 patients using a minimal incision. In both groups, physiotherapy involved either a routine or intensive regime. Patients were matched in age, sex and body mass index. There was no significant difference in blood loss, post-operative stay and change in Oxford hip scores at one year between the mini- and standard-incision groups. There was a significant difference (P=0.003) in length of stay between routine- and intensive-physiotherapy groups (11.4 vs. 7.9 days). The dislocation rate was higher in the mini-incision group. This study suggests that in a standard UK setting, intensive physiotherapy can significantly decrease in-patient stay, but reducing the incision length does not.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00264-006-0091-1

Affiliations: 1: Email: docpecker@hotmail.com

Publication date: 2006-10-01