Investigation of the Balance Factors Related to Ambulatory Ability of Patients with Femoral Neck Fracture

Abstract

For patients with femoral neck fracture, findings of body sway, the loading rate on the wounded lower limb, the Functional Reach Test, and the Timed Up & Go Test (TUG) were continuously observed in order to examine what kind of physical factors affected their ambulatory ability in the process of regaining walking ability post-operation. The subjects were eight aged individuals, who suffered from femoral neck fracture in one of the lower limbs, and underwent medical treatment of operation follwed by physical therapy. After the start of walking, measurements of the above-mentioned items were executed every other week until the patients left the hospital. Walking speed improved in all subjects during the hospital stay. There was a rapid amelioration in the values of the loading rate on the wounded lower limb and TUG one week after the start of walking. The enhancement in the loading rate on the wounded lower limb seemed to be caused by the relief of pain and the recovery of muscular power. The value of TUG concurrently improved, suggesting that the supporting power of the lower limbs is important in mixed movements and dynamic balance, factors of TUG.