Article

Timed Up & Go test score
in patients with hip fracture is related to the type of walking aid. OBJECTIVE:
To determine the relationship between Timed Up & Go (TUG) test scores and type of
walking aid used during the test, and to determine the feasibility of using the
rollator as a standardized walking aid during the TUG in patients with hip
fracture who were allowed full weight-bearing (FWB). DESIGN: Prospective
methodological study. SETTING: An acute orthopedic hip fracture unit at a
university hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Patients (N=126; 90 women, 36 men) with hip
fracture with a mean age +/- SD of 74.8+/-12.7 years performed the TUG the day
before discharge from the orthopedic ward. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN
OUTCOME MEASURES: The TUG was performed with the walking aid the patient was to
be discharged with: a walker (n=88) or elbow crutches (n=38). In addition, all
patients also performed the TUG using a rollator. RESULTS: Patients who performed
the TUG with a walker were on average 13.6 (95% confidence interval [CI],
11.2-16.1) seconds faster using a rollator compared with the walker (P<.001).
Correspondingly, patients who performed the TUG with crutches were on average 3.5
(95% CI, 1.5-5.4) seconds faster using a rollator compared with elbow crutches
(P=.001). In both patient groups, the between walking-aid scores were strongly
correlated (r>.833, P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: TUG scores are significantly related to
the type of walking aid used during the test in patients with hip fracture who
are allowed FWB when discharged from the hospital,
but all patients were able to
perform the TUG using the rollator as a standardized walking aid. Our findings
indicate the importance of using a standardized walking aid when evaluating
changes or comparing TUG scores in patients with hip fracture.

Langue : ANGLAIS