Restoring Ambulation Following Girdlestone Resection Arthroplasty: A Case Report
Document Type
Poster
Start Date
28-4-2026 12:00 PM
End Date
28-4-2026 2:00 PM
Description
Introduction Girdlestone resection arthroplasty is a rare orthopedic salvage procedure typically performed for severe infection, failed arthroplasty, or complex hip pathology when reconstruction is not feasible. Due to its rarity, little literature exists describing postoperative physical therapy management.
Purpose To describe the rehabilitation approach and functional outcomes of a patient with severe mobility limitations following a Girdlestone procedure.
Methods A 38-year-old male presented to outpatient physical therapy two years after a left Girdlestone procedure and was wheelchair-dependent at baseline. Examination revealed significant bilateral hip and knee flexion contractures, lower extremity weakness, and limited standing tolerance. A six-week rehabilitation program focusing on joint mobility, strengthening, supported standing, and progressive gait training was implemented twice weekly.
Results After six weeks, knee extension range of motion improved by approximately 10–15 degrees bilaterally and lower extremity strength increased. The patient progressed from non-ambulatory status to ambulating multiple bouts of 20–30 feet with a rolling walker, requiring minimal assistance to contact guard assistance.
Discussion These findings highlight the potential role of physical therapy in restoring functional mobility in patients with severe postoperative debility and support the need for further research to guide rehabilitation for this rare procedure.
Recommended Citation
Aguilar, Joefwen, "Restoring Ambulation Following Girdlestone Resection Arthroplasty: A Case Report" (2026). School of Allied Health Professions Research Day. 26.
https://digitalscholar.lsuhsc.edu/ahrd/2026/posters/26
Restoring Ambulation Following Girdlestone Resection Arthroplasty: A Case Report
Introduction Girdlestone resection arthroplasty is a rare orthopedic salvage procedure typically performed for severe infection, failed arthroplasty, or complex hip pathology when reconstruction is not feasible. Due to its rarity, little literature exists describing postoperative physical therapy management.
Purpose To describe the rehabilitation approach and functional outcomes of a patient with severe mobility limitations following a Girdlestone procedure.
Methods A 38-year-old male presented to outpatient physical therapy two years after a left Girdlestone procedure and was wheelchair-dependent at baseline. Examination revealed significant bilateral hip and knee flexion contractures, lower extremity weakness, and limited standing tolerance. A six-week rehabilitation program focusing on joint mobility, strengthening, supported standing, and progressive gait training was implemented twice weekly.
Results After six weeks, knee extension range of motion improved by approximately 10–15 degrees bilaterally and lower extremity strength increased. The patient progressed from non-ambulatory status to ambulating multiple bouts of 20–30 feet with a rolling walker, requiring minimal assistance to contact guard assistance.
Discussion These findings highlight the potential role of physical therapy in restoring functional mobility in patients with severe postoperative debility and support the need for further research to guide rehabilitation for this rare procedure.