Nutritional Status and Temporal Changes in the Walking Ability of Femoral Neck Fracture Patients

Abstract

[Purpose] To clarify achievable targets and the changes in the walking ability of femoral neck fracture patients from the perspective of their nutritional status. [Subjects and Methods] At the time of their admission patients were divided into 3 groups based on their nutritional status. The changes in the walking ability of each group were investigated using Friedman’s test followed by multiple comparison analysis, and the time taken to achieve independent walking was investigated. [Results] Subjects in the normal nutritional status (NNS) group showed increases in walking ability up to the 4th week post-admission; those in the “risk of low nutritional status” (RLNS) group showed increases up to the 8th week post-admission; and those in the low nutritional status (LNS) group showed increases up to the 6th week post-admission. Furthermore, the time of achieving independent walking ability was the 4th week for the NNS group, and the 8th week for the RLNS group; however, subjects in the LNS group did not achieve walking independence. [Conclusion] Irrespective of nutritional status, walking ability recovers; however, independent walking is delayed in patients with LNS at admission.