Gluteal exercises for Hip OSTeoarthritis

 

The GHoST Trial will investigate the efficacy and feasibility of a targeted gluteal exercise program for improving hip function and increasing activity levels in people with hip osteoarthritis

 

Current treatment programs for hip osteoarthritis (OA) have shown minimal effect for improving muscle function or patient symptoms. This might, in part, be due to previous limited understanding of the structure and function of muscles around the hip (gluteus medius and gluteus minimus) that are important for stabilizing the joint. Our laboratory has developed world-first intramuscular electromyography techniques to measure hip muscle activity, and using this technology, we have demonstrated deficiency of muscle function in participants with hip OA. These findings have informed the development of a targeted rehabilitation program to address the strength and functional deficits identified in hip OA.

 

This project will conduct a pilot randomised controlled trial to establish the feasibility and quantify the efficacy of the targeted rehabilitation program.

 

Staff involved: A/Prof Rod Green, Dr Tania Pizzari, A/Prof Michael Kingsley; Dr Adam Semciw; Dr Steph Woodley; Ms Anita Zacharias