Physical impairment and functional outcome in patients having lower extremity fractures after age 65

The purpose of this study was to evaluate physical impairment and functional outcome in a group of patients who had a fracture of a lower extremity after age 65. The 30 subjects participating were treated between January 1992 and February 1998, for a unilateral fracture of the lower extremity. At the return examination, the patients' lower extremities were evaluated for range of motion (ROM) and strength. The participants also completed the Short Form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire, and their scores were compared with those of age-matched controls to determine relative disability. There were no statistically significant differences in ROM or muscle strength of the injured versus noninjured extremities, except in the case of knee flexion. The Mental Component Score (MCS) of the SF-36 in our study population was statistically different from that of controls, and there was no statistical difference in the Physical Component Score (PCS). A moderate correlation was found between the PCS and physical impairment.