This latest alert from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) summarises evidence relating to the recovery of patients who have had hip surgery:
People over 60 who need surgery after breaking a hip are discharged from hospital sooner if they get moving quickly. The largest study of its kind found that those who get out of bed on the day of hip surgery, or the day after, were twice as likely to leave hospital within 30 days.
The benefit of early mobilisation is so striking that targets should be introduced to support hospital staff in getting more hip fracture patients out of bed soon after surgery, the study authors suggest.
At present, about one in five patients are still in bed two or more days after their surgery. As well as prolonging their stay in hospital, such delays in mobilisation might increase the risk of pneumonia, and loss of muscle strength. These complications may in turn reduce survival.
At present, about one in five patients are still in bed two or more days after their surgery. As well as prolonging their stay in hospital, such delays in mobilisation might increase the risk of pneumonia, and loss of muscle strength. These complications may in turn reduce survival.
Read the full article on the NIHR alerts webpage here.
Published 11 May 2021
