Timed up & go test score in patients with hip fracture is related to the type of walking aid.
Kristensen MT, Bandholm T, Holm B, Ekdahl C, Kehlet H. Timed Up & Go test score in patients with hip fracture is related to the type of walking aid.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the relationship between Timed Up & Go (TUG) test scores and type of walking aid used during the test, and to determine the feasibility of using the rollator as a standardized walking aid during the TUG in patients with hip fracture who were allowed full weight-bearing (FWB).


METHODS
Prospective methodological study.


METHODS
An acute orthopedic hip fracture unit at a university hospital.


METHODS
Patients (N=126; 90 women, 36 men) with hip fracture with a mean age +/- SD of 74.8+/-12.7 years performed the TUG the day before discharge from the orthopedic ward.


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
The TUG was performed with the walking aid the patient was to be discharged with: a walker (n=88) or elbow crutches (n=38). In addition, all patients also performed the TUG using a rollator.


RESULTS
Patients who performed the TUG with a walker were on average 13.6 (95% confidence interval [CI], 11.2-16.1) seconds faster using a rollator compared with the walker (P<.001). Correspondingly, patients who performed the TUG with crutches were on average 3.5 (95% CI, 1.5-5.4) seconds faster using a rollator compared with elbow crutches (P=.001). In both patient groups, the between walking-aid scores were strongly correlated (r>.833, P<.001).


CONCLUSIONS
TUG scores are significantly related to the type of walking aid used during the test in patients with hip fracture who are allowed FWB when discharged from the hospital, but all patients were able to perform the TUG using the rollator as a standardized walking aid. Our findings indicate the importance of using a standardized walking aid when evaluating changes or comparing TUG scores in patients with hip fracture.
Department of Health Sciences, Division of Physical Therapy, Lund University, Lund, Sweden. mortentange@hotmail.com
Morten T
MT
Kristensen
Thomas
T
Bandholm
Bente
B
Holm
Charlotte
C
Ekdahl
Henrik
H
Kehlet
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003446:Crutches; D005260:Female; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014853:Walkers; D016138:Walking