OPTIMIZING POST-SURGICAL REHABILITATION THROUGH STRUCTURED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY: ENHANCING RECOVERY AFTER TOTAL HIP ARTHROPLASTY IN ELDERLY PATIENTS

Abstract

Objective: This study evaluates the effectiveness of integrating tailored exercise programs into Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols for elderly patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA), focusing on pain relief and functional recovery. Methods: One hundred elderly patients scheduled for THA were recruited and randomized into two groups: one receiving standard ERAS protocols and the other receiving ERAS protocols supplemented with specialized exercise regimens. Outcomes measured included hip circumferences and pain levels (using the Visual Analogue Scale) at admission, three days, and seven days post-operation; functional recovery (using the Harris Hip Score) at baseline and three weeks post-operation; mental health (using Zung's Self-Rating Anxiety Scale and Self-Rating Depression Scale) at baseline and four weeks; and length of hospital stay (LOS). Results: Patients in the exercise-supplemented ERAS group showed significantly improved pain scores and reduced hip circumferences at all post-operative checkpoints compared to the standard ERAS group. Additionally, this group exhibited superior functional recovery at three weeks, better mental health outcomes at four weeks, and a shorter LOS, highlighting the added benefits of the exercise regimen. Conclusion: Incorporating tailored exercise programs into ERAS protocols for THA in elderly patients significantly enhances pain management, speeds functional recovery, and improves overall mental health. These findings suggest that a sports medicine approach, focusing on physical activity, can substantially elevate the standard of care in surgical recovery for elderly orthopedic patients.