Walking ability and activity level after hip fracture in the elderly--a follow-up.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to investigate which variables can predict walking ability and activity level 1 year after hip fracture and to describe changes over time regarding functional capacity.


METHODS
One hundred and fifty-seven patients (111 women, 46 men), mean age 80.9 (SD 9.5) years, operated on for hip fracture, and able to participate either fully or to some extent in performance tests approximately 1 week after operation were included. Due to high mortality and fragility, only 57 patients participated in the 1-year follow-up.


METHODS
The patients were tested at discharge regarding physical performance, pain and bone mineral density. Status before fracture was evaluated by means of interview. At the 1-year follow-up, patients were also asked about their activities outside the home. A stepwise logistic regression was used for prediction.


RESULTS
The patients had a significantly faster walking speed and better balance function after 1 year than before. The test "Timed up and go" was a strong predictor for both walking ability and activity level 1 year after hip fracture. Knowledge about the patient's walking habits outdoors before hip fracture and the degree of independent walking before hip fracture strengthened the prediction.
Ingemarsson
Annika Hellzén
AH
Department of Physiotherapy, Mölndal, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Sweden. annika.ingemarsson@vgregion.se
Frändin
Kerstin
K
Mellström
Dan
D
Möller
Margareta
M
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000502:physiology; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011184:Postoperative Period; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011336:Probability; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012307:Risk Factors; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*