Effect of rehabilitation on hip and knee proprioception in older adults after hip fracture: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
Impaired proprioception may predispose patients with hip fracture to increased risk of future disability. The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of rehabilitation on proprioceptive changes in both the hip and knee joints of patients after hip fracture.


METHODS
Data were collected on 30 patients with hip fracture (mean age, 79.6 +/- 6.7 yrs) who attended physical and occupational therapy sessions five times per week during a rehabilitation hospital stay of 24.8 +/- 8.1 days. Proprioception was assessed with an electrogoniometer within 48 hrs of admission to and discharge from the rehabilitation unit. The passive-to-active reproduction of joint angle technique determined absolute angular error in non-weight-bearing positions at 15, 30, and 60 degrees of hip flexion and knee extension in both injured and noninjured sides.


RESULTS
Absolute angular error decreased significantly (P < 0.05) from admission (5.3 +/- 2.6 degrees, 4.1+/- 3.1 degrees) to discharge (3.0 +/- 2.3 degrees, 2.8 +/- 3.1 degrees) in hip flexion and knee extension, respectively, on the injured side. Absolute angular error was significantly less (P < 0.05) at 15 degrees compared with 30 and 60 degrees of hip flexion at admission and discharge on the injured side.


CONCLUSIONS
Hip and knee joint proprioception significantly improved in the injured side after the rehabilitation program. This may be an important outcome regarding future disability in this population.
Canadian Centre for Activity and Aging, 1490 Richmond Street, London, Ontario N6G 2M3, Canada.
Marissa E
ME
Mendelsohn
Tom J
TJ
Overend
Robert J
RJ
Petrella
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011434:Proprioception