68 The recovery of mobility post hip fracture as measured by the new mobility score and patient perception

Abstract Background Return to prior mobility after hip fracture is an important patient goal. This study aimed to assess recovery of mobility at 30 and 120 days post fracture using the New Mobility Score (NMS) and patient perception. Methods This prospective cohort study included consecutive patients ≥60 years admitted after hip fracture if they could provide informed consent and participate with or without a proxy. Pre fracture mobility was measured using the NMS. Participants were contacted by telephone or in person at both 30 and 120 days to complete the NMS and questions about recovery of mobility. At day-120, EQ-5D-5L was also completed. Results Of 82 patients admitted with hip fracture during the study period, 60 were eligible and consented. The mean age of participants was 83.3 years, with 70% (n = 42) being female and all lived at home pre-fracture. All participants (n = 60) completed 30-day follow-up only 83% (n = 50) at 120 days with 3 patients known to have died. The proportion of participants mobile unaided indoors, outdoors and shopping respectively was 78% (n = 47), 63% (n = 38) and 50% (n = 30) pre-fracture; 5% (n = 3), 2% (n = 1), and 0% at day 30; and 42% (n = 23), 20% (n = 10) and 16% (n = 8) at day 120. The mean total NMS score pre-fracture, at 30 days, and 120 days was 7.28 (SD = 2.1), 2.73 (SD = 1.7) and 5.6 (SD = 2.2), respectively. At day-120, moderate to severe problems with mobility (EQ-5D-5L score ≥ 2) were reported by 44% (n = 22). No participant recovered their pre-fracture mobility at day-30. At day-120, of the 28% (n = 14) who recovered mobility (NMS), 64% (n = 9) still reported their mobility as worse than pre fracture. Conclusion Most participants did not recover their pre-fracture mobility by 120 days. There was an associated loss in health-related quality of life, primarily in the domain of mobility. This patient group may benefit from access to physiotherapy up to 4 months after hip fracture.