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An Electromyographic Study of the Hip Abductor Muscles as Subjects With a Hip Prosthesis Walked With Different Methods of Using a Cane and Carrying a Load

DA Neumann, PT, PhD, is Associate Professor, Physical Therapy Department, Marquette University, Box 1881, Milwaukee, WI, 53201-1881 (USA) (neumannd{at}mu.edu)

Background and Purpose. Certain methods of carrying handheld loads or using a cane can reduce the demands placed on the hip abductor (HA) muscles and the loads on the underlying prosthetic hip. In certain conditions, unusually large forces from the HA muscles may contribute to premature loosening of a prosthetic hip. The purpose of this study was to examine HA use by measuring the amplitude of the electromyographic (EMG) signal from the HA muscles as subjects carried a load and simultaneously used a cane. Subjects. Twenty-four active subjects (mean age=63.3 years, SD=10.7, range=40–86) with a unilateral prosthetic hip were tested. Methods. The HA muscle surface EMG activity was analyzed as subjects carried loads weighing 5%, 10%, or 15% of body weight held by either their contralateral or ipsilateral arm relative to their prosthetic hip. They simultaneously used a cane with their free hand. Results. The contralateral cane and ipsilateral load conditions produced HA muscle EMG activity that was approximately 40% less than the EMG activity produced while walking without carrying a load or using a cane. Conclusion and Discussion. People who are in danger of premature loosening of their prosthetic hip should, if possible, avoid carrying loads. If a load must be carried, however, then the contralateral cane and ipsilateral load condition appears to minimize the loads placed on the prosthetic hip due to HA muscle activity.

Key Words: Cane • Electromyography • Hip abductors • Hip joint prosthesis • Load carriage

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