A case series of patients change in mobility following a hip fracture

Hip fractures are common in the elderly population. It is currently believed that patients can expect to lose a level of mobility following a hip fracture. The aim of this study was to compare the pre- and post-treatment mobility of patients treated in our institution who had suffered a fracture neck of femur and identify the factors that could predict pre-operatively those patients who would suffer a deterioration in mobility after treatment.

Patients admitted to a large UK teaching hospital with a surgically treated neck of femur fracture were included between 2 April 2011 and 31 March 2014. Patient's mobility was assessed on admission and at 1 year following surgery.

There were a total of 615 patients alive at 1 year. There were 142 males and 473 females with a mean age of 82.1 (range 47-100). On admission, 338 (55.0%) mobilised independently 52.2% had no change in their pre-fracture mobility at 1 year following their treatment. Age, a lower AMTS, a higher ASA and living in residential care were significant risk factors for not regaining their pre-fracture mobility. Sex and type of fracture were not associated with change in mobility.

It is commonly stated that patients lose one level of mobility following a hip fracture. This case series demonstrates that over 50% of patients can expect to have the same level of mobility at 1 year post-surgery as they did previously.