CORRECTION OF PHYSICAL AND ANTHROPOMETRIC MARKERS OF GERIATRIC SYNDROMES IN ELDERLY PATIENTS WITH CONSEQUENCES OF TOTAL HIP ARTHROPLASTY AND OBESITY BY MEANS OF PHYSICAL THERAPY

Abstract

Purpose – to evaluate the effectiveness of the developed physical therapy program for elderly patients with consequences of total hip arthroplasty and obesity in the long term after endoprosthetics according to the dynamics of physical and anthropometric markers of geriatric syndromes.Material. 99 elderly people were examined. The control group consisted of 34 people who had no history of total lower limb arthroplasty, with normal body weight. The comparison group consisted of 33 people with total hip arthroplasty and normal body weight. The main group consisted of 32 obese patients with arthroplasty. A three-month physical therapy program was developed and implemented for them, using therapeutic exercises on the Redcord NEURAC suspension system to improve strength, flexibility, gait training, balance exercises on BOSU platforms, massage of the operated lower limb, Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation, and an educational component (diet modification). The effectiveness was assessed by the results of height, weight, body mass index, shoulder, waist, and hip circumferences, 6-minute walk test, hand dynamometry, and Tinetti-test.Results. The studied physical and anthropometric markers of geriatric syndromes in elderly patients with hip arthroplasty and obesity in the remote period of arthroplasty (more than 1 year) were worse (p < 0.05) compared to a similar contingent of patients after total arthroplasty, but with normal body weight. The approved comprehensive physical therapy program revealed an improvement in the condition of patients due to the impact on physical and anthropometric markers of geriatric syndromes due to a decrease in body mass index, a decrease in the severity of abdominal obesity (by the ratio of waist and hip circumferences), a decrease in muscle weakness (increased hand strength, increased distance when performing a six-minute walk against the background of reduced fatigue), improved balance when performing various activities and a decrease in the risk of falling (by Tinetti-test) significantly compared to baseline indicators for all studied parameters (p < 0.05).Conclusions. Physical therapy is advisable to prescribe for the comprehensive correction of physical and anthropometric markers of geriatric syndromes in elderly patients with hip joint replacement and obesity.