Factors Associated with Walking Ability Evaluated 2 Weeks after Hip Fracture Surgery in Elderly Patients

Abstract

Objective: We investigated the association between perioperative factors, including the postoperative Cumulated Ambulation Score for 3 days after operation (3-day CAS) and walking ability evaluated 2 weeks postoperatively in elderly patients with hip fracture.

Methods: The study included 187 patients with hip fractures, who were categorized into two groups based on their walking ability evaluated 2 weeks postoperatively. One group included 99 patients who could not walk or could walk only with the use of parallel bars, and the other group included 88 patients who could walk using a walker. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed based on preinjury and preoperative patient information, surgical factors, and 3-day CAS. Additionally, we calculated cutoff values based on the receiver operating characteristic curve.

Result: Preinjury Barthel Index (BI), fracture type, and 3-day postoperative CAS as variables associated with walking ability that was evaluated 2 weeks postoperatively. The cutoff values used to determine patients' walking ability using a walker 2 weeks postoperatively were 92.5 points for the preinjury BI and 3.5 points for the 3-day CAS.

Conclusion: We observed that in addition to the preinjury BI and fracture type, the 3-day CAS was useful to determine patients' walking ability using a walker, 2 weeks postoperatively.