📢 New Publication Alert! | Short-Term Pain Relief in Elderly Hip Osteoarthritis Through Non-Weight-Bearing Therapies

We are excited to announce the publication of our latest review article in the Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology: "Elderly Hip Osteoarthritis: A Review of Short-Term Pain Relief Through Non-Weight-Bearing Therapies"

by Olivia Norato, Sarah Velez, Arbonor Lleshi, Gordon Lam, Marlon Morales, Glory Udechi, Edwin Cung, and Jean-Philippe Berteau
📅 Published: April 8, 2025
🔗 Read the full article here

🔍 What’s the Study About?

Hip osteoarthritis (OA) can be especially debilitating for older adults, interfering with everyday activities like walking, climbing stairs, and even standing up from a chair. Our review explores the benefits of non-weight-bearing (NWB) interventions, such as manual therapy (MT) and aquatic therapy (AT), as strategies for short-term pain relief in this population.

By focusing on older adults (60+ years), including individuals with higher BMI who face increased joint loading, we examined how reducing gravitational stress on the hip can offer critical relief while maintaining function.

🧪 What Did We Find?

  • Manual Therapy (MT), including joint mobilizations and soft tissue techniques, showed significant short-term pain reduction—effective up to five weeks.

  • Aquatic Therapy (AT) demonstrated pain relief lasting up to ten weeks, offering a gravity-reduced environment for safe and effective movement.

  • However, clinical improvements tapered off after 10 weeks for both interventions.

  • The study concludes that while NWB therapies are beneficial for short-term symptom management, long-term relief likely depends on integrating therapeutic exercise and patient education.

📈 Study Highlights

  • 🧍‍♂️ 1037 participants across 9 trials

  • 🧘‍♀️ Evaluated outcomes using WOMAC, VAS, and NRS scores

  • ✔️ Emphasis on Minimal Clinically Important Difference (MCID), not just statistical significance

  • ⏱️ Clinical effectiveness declines after 10 weeks—underscoring the need for sustained care strategies

👥 Who Should Read This?

This review is especially relevant for:

  • Physical therapists and rehabilitation professionals

  • Clinicians treating geriatric and orthopedic populations

  • Researchers in musculoskeletal health and pain management

  • Patients and caregivers seeking alternative approaches for hip OA

We are proud to contribute to the growing body of knowledge aimed at improving the quality of life for elderly patients with hip osteoarthritis. Your thoughts and feedback are welcome—please feel free to share or reach out!