Course of Pain Catastrophizing and Its Influence on the Early Walking Ability of Patients with Perioperative Proximal Femur Fractures

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the course of pain catastrophizing and its influence on the walking ability of patients with perioperative hip fractures. [Participants and Methods] Twenty-nine patients with hip fractures participated in this study. The course of the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), and the correlation between PCS and pain were examined. Furthermore, the associations of PCS with walking ability one week after surgery and acquisition of pre-injury walking ability were examined. [Results] PCS decreased after surgery and was strongly associated with pain on motion. Pain on motion and PCS magnification were associated with walking ability one week after surgery. Pain at rest and PCS magnification were associated with acquisition of pre-injury ability. [Conclusion] Pain had an influence on early walking ability, while pain catastrophizing had no strong substantial influence. In the perioperative period, the need for pain interventions for early walking acquisition was indicated.