IMPROVEMENT OF POSTURAL FUNCTION OF THE LOWER EXTREMITY AFTER TOTAL HIP REPLACEMENT

Postural control is an integral part of the human motor function in a state of health and illness. Postural control impair-ments are often found in injuries and diseases of the musculoskel-etal and nervous systems. Degenerative processes in the hip joint adversely alter the mechanoreception, which problem can be elimi-nated through total hip replacement. The purpose of this study is to follow the static balance recovery process, following a total hip replacement, after a 30-day sensorimotor stimulation at home. Material and methods: Material: the study involves 20 women (60-72 years old) who underwent total hip replacement and a following sensorimotor stimulation at home. Methods: pain rat-ing, according to the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS); Manual Mus-cle Testing (MMT) of certain muscle groups; test for static and dynamic balance, and postural control Results: The obtained results show a significant improve-ment in motor and postural function during the postoperative pe-riod due to systematic physiotherapy at home. Conclusions: the approved sensorimotor training program is easily implemented individually and at home and can be suc-cessfully integrated with other physiotherapeutic means from the functional recovery programs for total hip replacement during the minimally protective phase or chronic recovery period.