Reduced hip pain when taking the stairs whilst wearing the CoxaTrain

Taking the stairs is a huge challenge for hip mobility and neuromuscular control. Functional restrictions can therefore become particularly obvious during this movement task. A further publication by Steingrebe et al. from the study conducted at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) using the CoxaTrain analyzes the effects of the flexible hip brace when taking the stairs. It shows: After one week of wearing the brace, pain was reduced by an average of 28 percent. At the same time, test subjects – active patients with mild to moderate osteoarthritis of the hip – were quicker at going up and down the stairs.

Greater hip extension and a straightened pelvis position

When the CoxaTrain was worn, several biomechanical effects were observed while taking the stairs. When going up and down, hip extension increased, while hip flexion decreased. The anterior pelvic tilt decreased, and the pelvis position was straighter with the brace. Torso movement remained unchanged. This means that the brace counteracted two changes associated with osteoarthritis of the hip: restricted hip extension and increased anterior pelvic tilt to compensate.
When climbing the stairs whilst wearing the brace, maximum hip adduction and internal rotation also reduced.

Reduced pain – despite indications of increased joint strain

When descending the stairs whilst wearing the CoxaTrain, increased hip extension and joint torque were observed – as well as reduced pain. The authors associate increased joint torque with greater movement speed, for example. At the same time, they consider potentially increased joint strain. However, this was not measured directly. For further research, the following question therefore arises: What is the correlation between joint strain, muscle activity, and pain when wearing flexible hip braces – after long-term use in particular?

KIT study with the CoxaTrain to combat osteoarthritis of the hip

The stairs analysis is part of the KIT study related to the CoxaTrain’s clinical and biomechanical effects on active patients suffering from mild to moderate osteoarthritis of the hip. The flexible brace stabilizes the pelvis, hip, and lumbosacral junction. Integrated pads massage during walking to relax the muscles carrying out movements. Published findings show both significant pain reduction and increase in functional ability. Other analyses examined the brace’s effects when walking in a straight line and taking a 90-degree turn.

The complete study by Steingrebe et al. “Effect of hip bracing on stair walking biomechanics and pain in patients with mild-to-moderate hip osteoarthritis: an intervention study” was published as Open Access in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. The digital whitepaper Impact of flexible hip orthoses on biomechanics affected by osteoarthritis of the hip provides a compact summary of the study results obtained from taking the stairs and walking with 90-degree turns.

In her specialist article Research focusing on the CoxaTrain to treat osteoarthritis of the hip, Study Director Hannah Steingrebe classifies all currently published findings and speaks about their significance for conservative treatment.

Service information

The CoxaTrain brace relieves hip pain, reduces muscular imbalances, and provides the joint with stabilizing guidance when walking. The pain-relieving effect of the brace and its positive influence on the wearer’s gait support movement treatment for osteoarthritis of the hip, rheumatoid arthritis or impingement syndrome. If required, the flexion and extension of the hip joint can also be limited. Physicians and medical retailers based outside Germany can obtain information from their local Bauerfeind Sales Team or Bauerfeind’s International Customer Service.

Photos: Bauerfeind AG, Udo Schönewald