The impact of early mobility on functional recovery after hip fracture surgery

PurposeTo examine the effect of early mobility (EM) on functional recovery after hip fracture surgery, and to investigate the potential factors that delay mobility.MethodsIn this retrospective observational study, 110 hip fracture patients were divided into two groups according to the days between surgery and mobility referred to as the EM and the delayed mobility groups. Demographic data, perioperative data, functional outcomes, and discharge destination were compared statistically between the groups using univariate analysis and logistic regression analysis. As a sensitivity analysis, the factors associated with the timing of physiotherapy were also assessed.ResultsThe EM group had significantly better walking ability and Barthel index (p < 0.05), and home discharge rate (p = 0.004). The factors associated with delayed mobility (odds ratio; 95% confidence interval) were delayed postoperative physiotherapy initiation (3.59; 1.76-7.33), days from admission to surgery (1.23; 1.04-1.46), and postoperative CRP (1.14; 1.01-1.29) and hemoglobin level (0.72; 0.54-0.96). Furthermore, patients who received surgery on the day before any holiday were significantly delayed in physiotherapy intervention (p = 0.006).ConclusionsThis study demonstrated that EM after hip fracture surgery was associated with improving functional recovery and home discharge rate, and early physiotherapy intervention was associated with EM.

Automated summary

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of early mobility on functional recovery after hip fracture surgery. The results showed that early mobility was associated with improved walking ability, functional outcomes, and home discharge rate. Factors that delayed mobility included delayed initiation of postoperative physiotherapy, days from admission to surgery, as well as postoperative CRP and hemoglobin levels. Early physiotherapy intervention was found to be associated with early mobility.