Effects of early mobilization and weight bearing on postoperative walking ability and pain in geriatric patients operated due to hip fracture: a retrospective analysis

Authors: TOLGAHAN KURU, HACI ALİ OLÇAR

Abstract: Background/aim: Hip fractures in older adults are associated with high morbidity, mortality, and subsequent hospital costs and decreased quality of life. The objective of this study was to evaluate geriatric patients who underwent partial prosthesis surgery following hip fracture and effects of early mobilization and weight bearing on postoperative walking ability and pain. Materials and methods: A total of 52 geriatric patients with intertrochanteric and femoral neck fractures were included in the study. Patients' service files, system records, pre- and postoperative X-rays were retrospectively reviewed.Results: There were 52 patients in the study group with 36 (69.2%) being female. The mean age of the patients was found as 82.9 ± 6.5 years. The mean length of stay in hospital was found as 6.2 ± 2.6 days. The mean length of stay in hospital was found as 5.3 ± 1.7 days in male and 6.6 ± 2.8 days in female patients, and the difference was statistically significant (P = 0.035). The mean length of stay in hospital was found as 5.4 ± 1.8 days in early mobilization group and 6.9 ± 2.9 days in late mobilization group, and the difference was statistically significant (P = 0.026). There was a significant difference between Harris and pain scores in terms of the time of first weight bearing at the postoperative 1st month follow-up. Harris score was found as 84.0 ± 5.8 (median: 84.0, min-max: 73-94), and the main pain score as 36.8 ± 6.8 in the group with the first weight bearing within the first 24 h, while Harris score was found as 71.10 ± 2.8, and the main pain score as 24.4 ± 6.4 in the group with the first weight bearing after the postoperative 24th hour.Conclusion: The results of our study indicated that early mobilization and full weight bearing in geriatric patients after hip fracture surgery shortened length of stay in hospital, reduced postoperative pain, and increased walking ability.

Keywords: Geriatric, hip fracture, pain, mobilization, weight bearing

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