Physical tests and patient reports after hip replacement showed uncertain links
A review found weak evidence about how movement tests relate to patients’ reports of recovery. Its findings do not establish that these measures are interchangeable or unrelated.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
Some analyses found no association between physical performance measures and patients’ reported pain or function after hip replacement, but the evidence was rated very low quality. Other findings were inconsistent. This leaves uncertainty about how closely test performance and personal reports track recovery, rather than showing that either type of assessment lacks value.
This abstract-based account reflects substantial differences among studies, few studies with low risk of bias, and sparse evidence on spine–pelvis alignment and low back pain. The reported null associations remain uncertain.
What was compared
The review considered whether measures such as walking speed or changes in stair-climbing performance aligned with patients’ own reports. Both comparisons made at one time and associations between changes over time were examined.
Where evidence was thin
Short-term walking-speed findings and several comparisons of change showed no association, with very low-quality evidence. Low back pain studies differed too much to combine, and alignment research was too limited to support a clear conclusion.
The original publication
Association between physical measures of spinopelvic alignment and physical functioning with patient reported outcome measures after total hip arthroplasty: Systematic review and narrative synthesis.
Vatandoost S, Soltanabadi S, Ragguett RM et al.
PLoS One · 2025
- PubMed ID
- 41460826
- Record checked
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