In a pilot study by Höpfner 2015 – Osteopathie Schule Deutschland – the pain experienced by the osteopathic treatment group decreased on the Visual Analogue Scale (1-10) from an average of 7.8 to 0.3 points during the entire treatment period, representing a reduction of a full 7.5 points out of 10 possible. Furthermore, five osteopathic treatments, when compared to standard follow-up care for short-stem hip replacements and the intake of prescribed painkillers, showed not only a significant improvement in the postoperative pain situation but also enhanced mobility and walking ability.
If you are interested in the exact data:
Methodology: Over five consecutive days, n=50 (subjects) each received either an osteopathic or physiotherapeutic treatment, each lasting 45 minutes. Pain intensity was measured using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) before and after each treatment session. Functional parameters of mobility and walking ability were recorded using the Merle d’Aubigné and Postel Score before the start and after the end of the respective treatment period.Results: The subjective pain intensity of the osteopathic intervention group decreased on the VAS from an average of 7.8 to 0.3 points during the entire treatment period. The physiotherapeutic control group achieved a reduction in VAS from an average of 7.4 to 2.1. The Merle d’Aubigné and Postel Score for the osteopathic intervention group increased from an average of 3.7 points to 16.6 points. The physiotherapeutic control group achieved an improvement from an initial 4.92 points to 13.24 points. Höpfner M. Is osteopathic treatment beneficial compared to standard follow-up care after surgical intervention with short-stem total hip prostheses for coxarthrosis? : A pilot study. Osteopathie Schule Deutschland; 2015
