Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 11, 2026
Biomechanical Changes Related to Low Back Pain: An Innovative Tool for Movement Pattern Assessment and Treatment Evaluation in Rehabilitation
Published on: December 13, 2024
The Lower Extremity Gain Scale: a performance-based measure to assess recovery after hip fracture
Sheryl Zimmerman1, William G Hawkes, J Richard Hebel
1Program on Aging, Disability and Long-Term Care, Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research, and the School of Social Work, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA. Sheryl_Zimmerman@unc.edu
Objective:
To develop and determine the reliability and validity of a sensitive observational measure to assess recovery in clinically meaningful areas of function after hip fracture.
Design:
Used survey data to identify activities difficult to perform after fracture; conducted focus groups; interviewed patients; and developed a standardized protocol to prospectively test the highest ranking activities.
Setting:
Evaluations conducted in 8 Baltimore hospitals or the patients' residence.
Participants:
Patients 2 to 24 months postfracture, 65 years and older, and community-dwelling.
Interventions:
Not applicable.
Main Outcome Measure:
The Lower Extremity Gain Scale (LEGS).
Results:
Nine performance-based activities were appropriate for administration in clinical and research settings: (1) walk 3m (10ft); put on a (2) sock and (3) shoe on the fractured side; (4) rise from an armless chair; step (5) up and (6) down 4 stairs; get (7) on and (8) off the toilet; and (9) reach for an item on the ground from a sitting position. Reproducibility is good and measures of internal consistency and content, concurrent, and construct validity are high.
Conclusions:
The LEGS can be easily administered by clinicians in a short time as part of care. Research and clinical scoring methods and performance norms can track recovery in activities that are most relevant in the lives of patients.
