Ambulation recovery prediction after hip fracture surgery using the Hip Fracture Short-Term Ambulation Prediction tool.

OBJECTIVE

To develop models for predicting postoperative ambulation recovery at 3 months following fragility hip fracture surgery.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SUBJECTS

Fragility hip fracture patients aged ≥ 50 years who underwent operative treatment and completed a 3-month follow-up.

METHODS

Potential predictors were collected from eligible patients, while ambulation at 3 months after injury was assessed using the modified functional ambulation classification. These factors were used to develop the Hip Fracture Short-Term Ambulation Prediction, consisting of 2 models: Model 1 for postoperative ambulation and Model 2 for preinjury status recovery.

RESULTS

Among the 275 patients, 55 (20.0%) achieved good ambulation, and 59 (21.5%) returned to their preinjury status at 3 months. Age, preinjury ambulatory status, and discharge ambulatory status were identified as significant predictors of 3-month postoperative ambulation. The tool presented (Models 1 and 2) showed strong performance (area under the curve of 0.86 and 0.85, respectively) and good internal validity.

CONCLUSIONS

Age, preinjury ambulatory status, and discharge ambulatory status significantly predict postoperative ambulation and preinjury status recovery at 3 months after fragility hip fracture surgery. The tool presented may aid clinicians in identifying patients who could benefit from targeted rehabilitation interventions during this crucial period.