Evaluating a hip fracture patient’s performance in the early phase of recovery (2 months after a fracture) improves prediction of impaired 12-month walking ability.

Walking ability indicates the level of functional recovery and independent living in patients with a hip fracture. Almost half of the older hip fracture patients who were able to walk before the fracture event can’t walk a block without assistance 1 year post hip fracture.

 
This study undertaken in USA explored the association between the assessment of physical performance early in the recovery period of 162 hip fracture patients and their 12-month post-fracture mobility.

SPPB score and 3-meter gait speed, two easily and quickly observed measures of functional performance, can provide important information regarding the ability to walk 1 block, an indicator of functional ability, at 12 months after a hip fracture. According to the study, these measures ‘not only predict gradual decline but also gradual recovery’ after a hip fracture.

Furthermore, other predictive factors of greater risk of mobility limitation at 12-months after a hip fracture were age, ability to walk 1 block pre-fracture and ability to walk 10 feet at 2 months post-fracture.

Dr Jay Magaziner, one of the authors, stated: "There are a number of reliable and objective tools that can assess the patient's functional recovery. These can be used by different health care professionals and will provide information that can optimize planning for the recovery of long-term mobility."

Read the article here!