Postural stability disorders in patients with osteoarthritis of the hip

The osteoarthritis of the hip dominant symptom is pain that leads to disability and to postural and gait disorders. The aim of this study was to analyze postural stability and its impact on disability and pain. The study population consisted of 60 patients and control group of 30. Group 1 (n = 30) included patients with unilateral coxarthrosis, aged 56.2 (+/- 12.3) years, BMI 25.17 (+/- 2.87) kg/m(2). There were 16 men (53.3%). The mean age of patients in group 2 (n = 30) with bilateral coxarthrosis was 62.3 (+/- 12.1) years; the mean BMI was 24.87 (+/- 2.06) kg/m(2). There were 15 men in this group (50%). The patients were evaluated using the WOMAC, the Harris Hip Score, VAS and the Biodex Balance System. Both study groups had stability index results different than the control group. There was a significant correlation between the stability indexes and BMI. VAS correlated with the M-L plane variance. In group 2, there were significant differences related to disability for the disability scales for all measured parameters. Balance disorder is a basic parameter found in coxathrosis. There is a statistically significant correlation between balance disorders and BMI, VAS and functional scales.