Changes in hip muscle strength after proximal femoral fracture in elderly women

Abstract

Hip muscle weakness is an often-occurring condition after displaced fractures of the proximal femur in older patients. The aim of this study was to compare hip muscle strength and pain in elderly female patients after proximal femoral fracture. Nine female patients (mean±SD of 71.4±3.9 yrs) participated in this study. Knee extensor, hip abductor and adductor muscle strength was evaluated with handheld dynamometer Lafayette (USA) during the first week of postoperative stay in hospital, and 6 months postfracture with fractured and nonfractured leg. Pain was assessed using a visual analogue scale. A week after the operation knee extensor, hip abductor and adductor muscle isometric muscle strength for the fractured leg was decreased (p<0.05) by 50.7%, 55.6% and 38.8%, respectively, compared to the nonfractured limb. At 6-month follow-up, hip muscle strength increased significantly (p < 0.05) in both the fractured and nonfractured leg. Hip muscle strength for the fractured leg was significantly lower (p<0.05) compared with the nonfractured leg 6 months after surgery. Pain score was significantly (p<0.05) higher during the first postoperative week as compared to 6 months follow-up. It was concluded that voluntary maximal isometric force-generating capacity of knee and hip muscles for the fractured leg was markedly increased 1 week and 6 months postoperatively. Isometric force-generating capacity for the fractured leg was significantly improved by 6 months follow-up.