Effects of Foot Core Exercises in Patients With Total Hip Arthroplasty

Investigation of the Effects of Foot Core Exercises on Lower Extremity Muscle Strength, Functional Parameters, and Morphological and Viscoelastic Properties of Foot and Ankle Periarticular Structures in Patients With Total Hip Arthroplasty

The goal of this clinical trial is to investigate the effects of foot core exercises on lower extremity muscle strength, viscoelastic properties, functional parameters, foot and ankle posture, balance, and the morphological characteristics of periarticular structures of the foot and ankle in individuals with total hip arthroplasty. The main questions it aims to answer are:

• Does foot core exercises affect morphological characteristics of the periarticular structures surrounding the foot and ankle?
• Does foot core exercises affect viscoelastic properties of the periarticular structures surrounding the foot and ankle?
• Does foot core exercises affect lower extremity muscle strength?
• Does foot core exercises affect lower extremity functional parameters and balance in individuals with total hip arthroplasty?

The researchers will compare the group performing foot core exercises with the group performing routine hip exercises that do not include foot core exercises.

Participitants will:

• Participants will receive an exercise log after a specialist physiotherapist demonstrates the exercises in practice at the third postoperative mounth.
• Visit the clinic every two months from postoperative mounth 3 to month 7 for routine follow-ups and progression of exercises.
• Except for the control sessions held every two mounths, patients will be followed up through weekly phone calls.
• Participants will complete an exercise diary indicating that they performed the exercises prescribed for each week, and they will bring their diaries with them to the follow-up sessions.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Being between 50 and 80 years old,
• Having at least 2 months elapsed since total hip arthroplasty surgery,
• Being willing to participate in the study,
• Being literate.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Having undergone revision total hip arthroplasty surgery,
• Having a cognitive level below 21 on the MoCA scale, or having any neurological or rheumatological disease,
• Inability to ambulate,
• Having any history of lower extremity trauma or other surgical procedures,
• Having toe-related pathologies that may affect pressure distribution and the course of exercise, such as hallux valgus or Morton's neuroma.