Use of a unipedal standing test to assess the ambulation reacquisition time during the early postoperative stage after hip fracture in elderly Japanese: prospective study.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to predict the ambulation reacquisition time after hip fracture in elderly people using the unipedal standing test during the early postoperative stage.


METHODS
Patients with an intertrochanteric fracture treated with internal fixation (n = 35) and patients with a femoral neck fracture treated with hemiarthroplasty (n = 22) were included. A unipedal standing test using the nonoperated leg was performed on days 3 and 7 after the operation.


RESULTS
Among the patients with an intertrochanteric fracture, those with a positive result on the unipedal standing test on postoperative day (POD) 3 attained gait with parallel guide bars (BG) and walker-assisted gait (WG) significantly earlier than did patients with a negative result on the unipedal standing test. Patients with a positive result on the unipedal standing test on POD 7 attained BG, WG, and cane-assisted gait (CG) significantly earlier than did patients with a negative test. Among patients with a femoral neck fracture, those with a positive unipedal standing test result on POD 3 attained BG, WG, and CG significantly earlier than did patients with a negative test. Those with a positive test result on POD 7 attained BG, WG, and CG significantly earlier than did patients with a negative test.


CONCLUSIONS
The unipedal standing test given during the early postoperative stage is a good test for predicting the ambulation reacquisition time. Moreover, it gives information that can help determine the need for subacute rehabilitation and about discharge planning and health service provision.
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Gifu Municipal Hospital, Gifu, Japan.
Koichi
K
Murata
Shigeki
S
Sugitani
Hiroki
H
Yoshioka
Takashi
T
Noguchi
Toshiyuki
T
Aoto
Takashi
T
Nakamura
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D020127:Recovery of Function; D014853:Walkers; D016138:Walking