The problems of degenerative-dystrophic abnormalities stimulate the development of new skills and methods of treatment and rehabilitation of the diseases. The goal of the study was to determine the efficacy of
hippotherapy in patients with
coxarthrosis, according to functional and biomechanical parameters.
Hippotherapy involves the utilization of horseback riding to stimulate the patient's normal reactions and locomotion; to improve the balance and coordination of movement, normalize muscle tension, and eliminate pathological reflexes. The advantage of the
hippotherapy is in the specific posture, which is adopted by hip joint at the time of riding and in movement, which is accomplished by rider, at different paces of the horse. 10 female patients from 14 to 32 years old with
coxarthrosis were under the observation. The rehabilitation of the patients was carried out by means of
hippotherapy, which consisted of three months riding three times a week. To evaluate the efficacy of treatment, a new method of biomechanical registration of hip joint movement during
hippotherapy on pacing horse was developed. The dynamics of biomechanical curves before and after the treatment, as well as the clinical and functional parameters of the patients allowed the authors to conclude:
hippotherapy improves a hip joint functional state in patients with
coxarthrosis; improves the muscle-tendineous component of hip joint movement.
Hippotherapy may be considered as the pathogenetic method of treatment of
coxarthrosis. Drawing the biomechanical curve of hip joint movement at the time of riding is the objective method of studying its function.