Physical therapy management of patients undergoing total hip replacement.

Physical therapy management of patients who undergo total prosthetic replacement of the hip at St. Margaret Memorial Hospital is an integral aspect of a multidiscipline process of rehabilitation. Patients requiring total hip replacement have a variety of medical problems and, subsequently, have postoperative conditions which influence the physical therapy plan of care. The scope and pace of our physical therapy program are governed by criteria which emphasize the medical status, individual capability, and motivation of each patient. Arbitrary postoperative time intervals are not considered in the design of our physical therapy program. In addition, physical therapists have responsibility beyond the delivery of quality service which includes collaboration with other members of the rehabilitation team in the development and evaluation of the total surgical program.