Rehabilitation Using 13-Degree Forward Bending Poles for Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis After a Total Joint Replacement.

Abstract

Here we evaluate the usefulness of 13-degree forward bending pole-assisted walking to promote the early discharge of rheumatoid arthritis patients after a total joint arthroplasty. We evaluated two male and six female rheumatoid arthritis patients with an average age of 64 who received a total hip or knee arthroplasty. We required them to perform pole-assisted walking five times a week for 20 minutes a day. Rehabilitation lasted 4-6 weeks until discharge. Clinical follow-up included mobility, physical strength and flexibility assessments. After 1 year of pole-assisted walking, two patients can play golf without the assistance of a cane. Patients who performed pole-assisted walking improved their walking speed 1 year after surgery by 5 seconds compared with speeds measured 4 weeks after surgery. Chair stand repetitions also increased over that time. Pole-assisted walking improved the stability and safety of the ambulation of rheumatoid arthritis patients after surgery. Patients also reported improved arm and leg strength. No falls were reported 5 years after surgery. This clinical trial is thought to be specific to patients with severe pain in many joints including knees and hips.