Khaptagaev T.B., Koneva E.S., Strukov R.N. et al. Efficiency of balance training with stabilizing platform in early postoperative rehabilitation of patients after arthroplasty. Voprosy Kurortologii, Fizioterapii, i Lechebnoi Fizicheskoi Kultury. 2022;99(4-2):17–21. DOI: 10.17116/kurort20229904217
The study assessed whether adding HUBER 360 balance training to early rehabilitation after total knee arthroplasty improves recovery. In the first postoperative days the problem is not only pain or restricted range of motion, but also gait disturbance, load asymmetry, reduced postural control and fear of loading the operated limb.
Participants
Sixty patients after TKA, mean age 69.1 ± 9.8 years, were enrolled a mean of 3.6 days after surgery. The intervention group (n = 30) received standard rehabilitation plus HUBER 360. Controls (n = 30) received the standard 7-day programme only: exercise therapy, drainage massage, magnetotherapy, mechanotherapy and passive Artromot mobilisation. HUBER was added to usual care rather than replacing it.
How HUBER 360 was used
Because patients were so early after surgery, training was performed sitting to reduce load, pain and swelling while still training sensorimotor control. Low-complexity posture/balance and endurance programmes were used. Visual biofeedback showed the task, the movement and the result so patients could correct their motor pattern immediately.
Key 7-day results
- 10-metre walk test with crutches: HUBER group 50% → 100% of patients, control 50% → 70%;
- 10 m time in the HUBER group: 13.11 s → 12.23 s;
- VAS pain: 8.3 → 2.9 with HUBER and 8.1 → 3.2 in controls;
- KOOS: +49.69 versus +45.15 points;
- IKDC: +24.46 versus +18.4 points.
The authors concluded that HUBER 360 balance training is an effective and safe component of early TKA rehabilitation, mainly through faster recovery of functional walking.