Resection arthroplasty according to the Girdlestone procedure has been described as a radical surgical technique used in the case of septic arthritis of the hip. Today, it is considered a salvage procedure which represents the final option in the presence of a serious infection, poor quantity or quality of bone tissue, or after the failure of a total hip replacement. The surgical procedure involves the removal of the femoral head down to the lesser trochanter and suture of the associated soft tissue. Although the procedure is considered appropriate and effective in the presence of a hip infection and in reducing pain, full functional recovery may be limited. In the literature, there are no common guidelines regarding the rehabilitation protocol that should be followed after a Girdlestone intervention.
This article presents a case report regarding a 58-year-old patient who experienced pain and gait impairments following an intervention: it describes the results after an integrated rehabilitation program of physiokinesitherapy and hydrokinetic therapy.