Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Hip arthroplasty is the most important surgical method for the treatment of hip fractures and necrosis in the femoral head. Limb function recovery is an important criterion to reflect the efficacy of surgery and the quality for life of patients. Postoperative rehabilitation exercises are crucial for limb function recovery. Otago exercise programme (OEP) is a safe, effective, practical, and economical rehabilitation exercise, which has been proven to prevent falls, improve limb function and walking ability, and lower limb strength. This study aims to explore the effect of OEP on limb function rehabilitation in elderly patients with hip arthroplasty for femoral neck fractures. METHODS: A total of 77 elderly patients with hip arthroplasty for femoral neck fractures who met the criteria for inclusion and exclusion were enrolled for this study. They were randomly divided into a control group ( n =39) and an intervention group ( n =38). The control group was given routine rehabilitation training, and the intervention group performed OEP on the basis of the control group. Time get up and go test (TGUT), five times sit to stand test (FTSST), 10-meter walking test (10MWT), Harris Hip Score (HHS), Daily Activity Scale (Barthel index), and the Mos 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) were used before the intervention, at discharge, and the 12th week after discharge. RESULTS: Before the intervention, there were no differences in TGUT, FTSST, 10MWT, HHS score, Barthel index, and SF-36 score between the 2 groups (all P >0.05). At the discharge after the intervention, there was no difference in TGUT between the 2 groups ( P >0.05), but the FTSST and 10MWT in the control group were longer than those in the intervention group (both P <0.05), and the HHS score, Barthel index, and SF-36 score in the control group were lower than those in the intervention group ( P <0.05). At the 12th week after discharge, TGUT, FTSST, 10MWT, HHS score, Barthel index, and SF-36 score in the intervention group were better than those in the control group ( P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: OEP can effectively promote limb stability and hip function recovery in elderly patients with hip arthroplasty for femoral neck fractures, improve daily mobility and quality of life, and it is suitable for clinical application.