Assessment of the effects of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation therapy on the improvement of motor function in a patient after total hip replacement – a case study

Hip osteoarthritis is a serious clinical and social problem. The number of patients who suffer from degenerative changes in the hip joints and require endoprosthesis-plasty is constantly increasing. This paper presents physiotherapeutic activities based on Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) which optimize a patient’s mobilization using the reserves in their body fully to make improvements in movement and to regain lost functions for achieving beneficial therapeutic effects. The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of PNF therapy on changes in muscle strength, mobility, and gait pattern in patients after Total Hip Arthroplasty. The case described here regards a 63-year-old woman diagnosed with left hip osteoarthritis who had Total Hip Arthroplasty. The patient was examined twice before and after PNF therapy. The range of mobility of hip joints, level of pain, muscular strength and gait were assessed. Applied PNF therapy, including dynamic (eccentric, concentric) and static muscle training, post-isometric relaxation, stabilization and control in the stance phase, resulted in improved hip joint mobility, muscle strength, gait pattern and pain reduction in the patient. The case study demonstrates that a short (two-week) but intensive (over two hours per day) PNF therapy positively influenced selected motor functions after Total Hip Arthroplasty.