Walking efficiency before and after total hip replacement as determined by oxygen consumption
McBeath, A.A.; Bahrke, M.S.; Balke, B.
Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. American Volume 62(5): 807-810
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0021-9355 PMID: 7391104 Document Number: 161400
Seventy-seven patients receiving either unilateral or bilateral total hip replacement were studied before and for as long as four years after operation. Their walking velocity and efficiency (the latter determined by measuring oxygen consumption) improved after operation. Total hip replacement allowed relatively equal postoperative efficiency and velocity for patients with unilateral and bilateral disease. While no consistent relationships were found between the components of the Iowa hip-rating scale, significant correlations were found between the composite Iowa hip-rating score and oxygen consumption. Data indicate that measurement of self-selected velocity in patients with hip disease is a satisfactory indicator of walking efficiency.