John M. Medeiros and Tony Rocklin
Background: Manual, long-axis hip traction has been used for centuries to treat pain and dysfunction associated with hip osteoarthritis (OA). Now there is a way to replicate manual long-axis hip traction with a mechanical hip traction device (HipTrac) that can be used in the clinic and at home. The purpose of this case series is to describe a rehabilitation program that was used to treat two patients with hip OA. Case description: Two patients were treated with manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, and HipTrac. The manual therapy and therapeutic exercise programs targeted impairments each patient presented with at each treatment session. The HipTrac, applied in the clinic and in each patient’s home, was used for mobilizing the joint capsule and pain relief. Outcomes: The primary outcome measures were the Care Connections Functional Index (CCFI), the Visual Analog Pain Scale (VAS), ROM, manual muscle tests, functional single leg squats and single leg dead lifts. Improvements in all outcome measures were observed for both patients. Discussion: Clinically meaningful improvements in self-reported function and pain were described by both patients two years post-treatment. Both patients reported that they had greatly benefited from combining the individualized manual therapy and therapeutic techniques with the in-clinic and home use of the HipTrac.
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