Total hip arthroplasty rehabilitation through a mobile application: a retrospective observational study.

Abstract

Postoperative rehabilitation following total hip arthroplasty is important for optimising functional recovery and pain relief. This study compares a mobile application providing functional recovery exercises and pain management education with in-person physical therapy in patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty. A retrospective study was conducted with 2 cohorts (<i>n</i> = 94) matched using propensity score matching. The App group (<i>n</i> = 47) used a mobile app for postoperative follow-up, while the control group (<i>n</i> = 47) received conventional follow-up. Functional outcomes (Harris Hip Score [HHS], Merle D'Aubigné [MDP], WOMAC) and pain intensity (visual analogue scale [VAS]) were assessed preoperatively, at one month, and 3 months post-intervention. Both groups showed significant improvements in all measurements compared to preoperative values. However, the App group showed significant improvements compared to the control group in the following outcome: HHS at 3 months (<i>P</i> = 0.02), improved MDP mobility (<i>P</i> = 0.02) and walking ability (<i>P</i> <i><</i> 0.0001), and lower VAS pain scores at one month (<i>P</i> = 0.004) and 3 months (<i>P</i> = 0.01). The mobile app program with recovery exercises and pain management is more effective than in-person physiotherapy in improving function and reducing pain after total hip arthroplasty. The study was registered with the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) under the number: NCT06606158. https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06606158.