A hospital based clinical observational study to evaluate the functional recovery and risks of not regaining to the pre-fracture mobility level in elderly patients with hip fractures

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the functional recovery at six months postoperatively in elderly patients with hip fractures and to determine the risks of not regaining to the pre-fracture mobility level. Methods: The present study was conducted in the Department of Orthopaedics, Pt BD Sharma PGIMS Rohtak covering pre-fracture and surgical related data. Of the 144 hip fracture surgery patients who attended a routine follow-up at a teaching university hospital, 100 patients met the inclusion criteria. Results: There were 70 patients walking outdoors independently before hip fracture. Of the 70 patients, only 15 patients reported walking recovery to the pre-fracture state and 11 patients could not walk at all. The numbers of the patient walking outdoors independently, indoors independently, walking in-and outdoors with aids, and not walking at all within 3 to 6 months post-hip fracture surgery were 15 (15%), 18 (18%), 42 (42%), and 25 (25%) respectively. There were significant differences among 2 groups in relation to patients' gender, education, current dwelling place, number of chronic disease, falling place, and use of walking devices before hip fracture. Postoperative walking success was significantly correlated with being male. It was also significantly better in people with graduate-level education and those living at home. There were no differences in BMI, living spouse, number of family members, number of falls, type of hip surgery, LOS before surgery, total LOS, anemia at admission, and pain. Conclusion: Walking recovery after hip fracture surgery was very poor at 3 to 6 months after hip fracture surgery. Based on our findings, older adults living in a long care facility should be provided their medical and functional needs through professional health-care providers and systematic health delivery systems. The therapeutic management for underlying diseases affecting surgery should precede unconditional early surgery. Older adults hospitalized during longer periods should be focused on their functional care.