Using the Timed Up and Go test to measure mobility in non-geriatric patients after pelvic ring injury

Pelvic ring injuries are rare injuries that frequently are associated with prolonged recovery and low return-to-work rates. Since radiological outcome not always correlates with overall patient-reported outcome, the assessement of functional outcome has become a focus of follow up. The Timed-Up and Go test (TUG) would be a simple way to quantify patient mobility, but has not yet been adequately validated in a non-geriatric patient population.

Consecutive patients younger than 70 years who underwent functional outcome testing as routine follow-up at 6 weeks, 12 weeks, or 6 months after pelvic ring injuries between 11/2017 and 10/2018 were included in this study. In addition to a TUG test, all patients completed a specific functional outcome score for pelvic ring injuries (Majeed-Score) and a general health score (Eq. 5D-3 L).

Forty patients (mean age 40 years, range 18 to 68 years, 24 female), ) of which 28 were treated operatively were included in the study. The mean Majeed-Score was 75.0 (SD 23.3, range 20 to 100) and the mean Eq. 5D-3 L-VAS was 69.9 (SD 22.5, range 5 to 100). The mean time for TUG was 7.8 s. (SD 4.1, range 2 to 22.). TUG time strongly correlated with the Majeed-Score (r= - 0.633, p = 0.0001) and with the mobility portion of the Majeed-Score (r= - 0.524, p = 0.001). For a threshold value of 10 s in the TUG test, the ROC analysis revealed a sensitivity of 91% and a specificity of 82% in predicting an impaired Majeed score of below 60 (AUC 0.935).

The TUG correlated strongly with the Majeed score and the mobility part of the Majeed-Score indicating that achieved values reflect the subjective accounts provided by patients. The TUG can be used as a quick screening in non-geriatric patients with pelvic ring injuries to quantify mobility. A TUG longer than 10 s indicates an impaired Majeed score. For academic purposes, however, it should be accompanied by the Majeed-Score.