Objective  To analyze the application value of dynamic and static complementary balance theory-based functional exercise combined with stepwise rehabilitation training in postoperative hip function recovery in patients undergoing total hip replacement (THR).

Methods  The clinical data of 118 inpatients undergoing THR between June 2022 and June 2023 were retrospectively collected. Among the patients, 57 were given perioperative stepwise rehabilitation training (the control group), and 61 were given a combination of functional exercise based on static and dynamic complementary balance theory and stepwise rehabilitation training during the perioperative period (the combination group). The postoperative recovery status and the incidence of postoperative complications in the two groups were recorded. During postoperative recovery, the patients were assessed for pain with the visual analogue scale (VAS) and for self-efficacy with the Self-Efficacy for Rehabilitation Outcome Scale (SER). Hip function was measured and compared between the two groups at 2 weeks, 4 weeks and 8 weeks after surgery.

Results  With regard to the primary outcome indicator, the postoperative length-of-stay was (7.63±1.36) d in the combination group, which was shorter than the (8.22±1.48) d in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (t=2.257, P=0.026). As for the secondary outcome indicators, no statistically significant difference was observed in the incidence of postoperative complications between the two groups (4.92% vs. 14.04%) (P>0.05). The perioperative VAS scores in the two groups showed an interaction effect according to the repeated measurement variance test (P<0.05). The postoperative VAS scores in both groups declined significantly compared to the preoperative scores (P<0.05), and the VAS score decreased gradually over time after surgery (P<0.05). The VAS scores in the combination group at 7 and 14 days after surgery were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). At 14 days after surgery, the scores for the coping and the task dimensions and the total score of SER increased in both groups compared with those at 3 days after surgery (P<0.05), with the combination group showing higher scores than the control group did (P<0.05). After surgery, the scores for the dimensions of deformity, pain, function, and joint mobility and the total score of the Harris Hip Scale revealed interaction effects in the two groups according to the repeated measurement variance test (P<0.05), with these scores increasing gradually over time after surgery (P<0.05), and the scores in the combination group were higher at 4 and 8 weeks after surgery compared to those in the control group (P<0.05).

Conclusion  The combination of functional exercise based on dynamic and static complementary balance theory and stepwise rehabilitation training shows an advantage over stepwise rehabilitation training alone in enhancing the self-efficacy of THR patients, relieving the postoperative pain, shortening the length-of-stay, and improving the hip function in patients.