Physical Therapists Have Identified Risk Factors for People Who Have Had a Hip F

[Guest guest]

Physical Therapists Have Identified Risk Factors for People Who Have

Had a Hip Fracture

27 Jun 2005 Medical News Today

The likelihood of a patient experiencing the reoccurrence of a fall

after a hospital stay for a hip fracture can be predicted, according

to a study published in the July issue of Physical Therapy (Journal

of the American Physical Therapy Association). The study shows that

the likelihood of a fall following a hip fracture can be predicted by

determining the functional status of the patient prior to the hip

fracture.

Physical therapists Anne Shumway-Cook, PT, PhD, , PT,

MS, and biostatistician n A Ciol, PT, PhD, of the University of

Washington and physician Gruber, MD, of Northwest Hospital in

Seattle, Washington, conducted the study.

Hip fractures often lead to impaired balance and gait and loss of

functional independence. " Hip fractures are a major medical problem

among older adults. We wanted to examine the incidence of falls in

older adults who had experienced a fall-related hip fracture and to

find out what factors could predict falls in the 6 months following

hospital discharge, " said Shumway- Cook.

The researchers found that important factors for predicting post-

hospitalization falls were pre-fracture use of an assisted walking

device and a history of falls within the six months prior to the

fracture.

Researchers interviewed 100 community-dwelling older adults (65 years

and older) in the first 48 hours of their hip fracture

hospitalization. Interview questions included demographics, premorbid

health, and functional status. Participants were followed up at 6

months following their hospitalization. Of the 100, only 90 were used

for the study (due to death, out-of-area move, or unwillingness to

participate).

The study found that 53 percent of the patients who had a fall-

related hip fracture experienced another fall within 6 months

following their discharge from the hospital. Of those who had fallen,

18 percent reported being readmitted to the hospital for their fall-

related injuries.

The study showed 24 percent of the patients who did not fall during

the 6 months following their hospital stay had used an assisted

walking device before their hip fracture. Comparatively, 54 percent

of the patients who did report post-hospitalization falls had used

assisted walking devices prior to their hip fracture. In addition, at

the 6 month follow up, 71 percent of the patients who did not fall

and 94 percent of those who did fall were using assisted walking

devices, showing a major increase in the use of a assisted walking

device for both groups.

" The results of this study indicate that patients with hip fracture

can be evaluated early in their hospital stay to determine whether

they are at risk for falls following discharge. If the physical

therapist finds that, prior to hip fracture, a patient had poor

balance and a slow walking speed, those factors may suggest that the

patient is at risk for another fall. Post- fracture care can then be

focused not only on helping patients recover from the hip fracture,

but also on improving deficits that are likely to produce another

fall, " said Shumway-Cook. " It's gratifying to continue to find more

ways to maximize patients' potential to safely return to their pre-

injury lifestyle. " Shumway-Cook and are members of the

American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).

The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) is a national

professional organization representing more than 66,000 physical

therapists, physical therapist assistants, and students. Its goal is

to foster advancements in physical therapy practice, research, and

education.

American Physical Therapy Association

http://www.apta.org