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Patients less likely to get physio after hip surgery if they are male and old

Hip replacement surgery is one of the most common procedures carried out by the NHS  - Getty Images Contributor
Hip replacement surgery is one of the most common procedures carried out by the NHS - Getty Images Contributor

Older men who have had hip and knee operations are missing out on crucial physiotherapy, amid warnings too many are being left to fend for themselves.

The study - the first major research into provision of such treatment in the UK - shows significant inequalities in the likelihood of receiving treatment to restore mobility.

Charities said vulnerable people were being left to “fend for themselves,” with devastating consequences.

The research, involving the University of Oxford, found that women and younger patients were far more likely than older men to receive physiotherapy, as they recovered from surgery.

It also shows major geographical differences, with those in London and the North of London most likely to receive the treatment, while those in the South West had the lowest chance of getting it.

NHS guidelines currently recommend a minimum of six weeks of physiotherapy after a knee or hip replacement.

This can include hydrotherapy or special strength or aerobic exercises.

For the study, experts looked at data on 37,598 patients from the UK's National Joint Registry.

They examined how much physiotherapy people received and compared it to the patient's level of disability, where they lived, their age, social deprivation, gender and ethnicity.

The study, which was led by the University of East Anglia, shows that 55 per cent of women having hip surgery had physiotherapy afterwards, compared with 51 per cent of men.

The average age of those who had at least 10 sessions was 65, while the average age age of those having none was 69.

Lead researcher Dr Toby Smith from the University of Oxford’s Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, said: “We are concerned that some people who would really benefit from physiotherapy are slipping through the net, and not having as good an outcome as we would want.”

He warned of “substantial inequality” on age grounds, with older people even more likely than younger patients to benefit from physiotherapy, yet more likely to miss out.

“Women were also more likely to receive physiotherapy,” he said.

Dr Smith said some of the findings might reflect whether patients were willing to speak up and ask for physiotherapy.

Professor Karen Middleton, chief executive of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, said: "We know that too many people are left to fend for themselves upon leaving hospital, whether it's after a knee or hip replacement or other conditions such as stroke.

"In some areas the services just don't exist or are so restricted that people have to wait far too long to be seen after leaving hospital.

"Missing out on essential rehabilitation can have devastating consequences but it's a scandal that's often overlooked because it plays out in people's homes, away from the public glare.

"We've joined forces with more than 20 health and social care organisations to call on political parties to end the scandal and ensure everyone has access to high quality community rehabilitation services after leaving hospital.

"The NHS has become extraordinary at saving lives but for too long the quality of those lives has been ignored, and that must end."

The study was published in the journal Physiotherapy.