Correlation between nutritional status and timed up and go performance in patients within 2 Weeks post-total hip arthroplasty for osteoarthritis.

INTRODUCTION

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is performed for hip osteoarthritis, and cases of poor gait ability within 2 weeks post-surgery have been observed. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the factors contributing to poor performance in the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test within 2 weeks post-surgery in patients who underwent unilateral THA for osteoarthritis. These factors were identified without the influence of surgical site pain or range of motion limitations and without adding new evaluation criteria.

METHODS

Based on the TUG results obtained within 2 weeks post-surgery, the participants were divided into two groups: the good performance (<12 s) and poor performance (≥12 s) groups. Preoperative data on albumin, total protein, body mass index (BMI), age, Kellgren-Lawrence grade, and postoperative hospital stay duration were retrospectively extracted and analyzed.

RESULTS

This study included 160 women. In the TUG <12 s group, only BMI, age, and postoperative hospital stay were significantly lower than those in TUG ≥12 s group.

CONCLUSIONS

BMI and age may be useful when considering multifaceted interventions during hospitalization and making transfer decisions affecting safe discharge home and return to daily life post-THA.

CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.