Abstract

BACKGROUND
Recovery of function such as the ability to walk without an assistive device after total hip arthroplasty (THA) is not always automatic.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated whether predetermined variables could be used to identify patients who might have functional limitations at 6 months following THA.
DESIGN
A prospective, observational cohort design was used.
METHOD
Demographics and baseline measures, including age, sex, and preoperative Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) score, were collected 1 to 3 weeks prior to surgery from 40 participants who were scheduled to undergo THA. Six weeks after surgery, a second LEFS score was recorded along with each participant's body mass index and the THA procedure performed; walking speed and balance also were assessed at this time using the 10-Meter Walk Test, the Timed "Up & Go" Test, and the Functional Reach Test. At 6 months following surgery, each participant's functional outcome was determined from the final LEFS score and the need for an assistive device. Classification and regression tree (CART) analyses and logistic regression were used to establish which of the variables could predict outcome at 6 months.
RESULTS
Body mass index, sex, and age were identified by CART analysis as predictors to classify participants who did not reach successful outcome status. Logistic regression revealed that sex (female) was the only individual variable that predicted outcome at 6 months. Walking speed was the only performance variable identified as a predictor for outcome using CART analysis.
LIMITATIONS
Only a limited number of variables were observed due to the small sample size.
CONCLUSION
It is possible to identify those patients who are at risk for an unsuccessful outcome through the use of variables such as body mass index, age, and sex.

Links

Publisher Full Text

Authors

Slaven EJ

Institution

Krannert School of Physical Therapy, University of Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN 46227, USA. slavene@uindy.edu

Source

Physical therapy 92:11 2012 Nov pg 1386-94

MeSH

Activities of Daily Living
Age Factors
Aged
Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip
Body Mass Index
Cohort Studies
Disability Evaluation
Female
Humans
Logistic Models
Male
Middle Aged
Recovery of Function
Sex Factors
Treatment Outcome
Walking

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22859514