Immediate Weight-Bearing and Early Ambulation Rehabilitation After Femoral Neck System Fixation for Undisplaced Femoral Neck Fractures: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial
摘要
Internal fixation is the usual treatment for undisplaced intracapsular hip fractures (Garden I and II). This study aimed to determine the optimal rehabilitation protocol for patients undergoing femoral neck system (FNS) fixation.
MethodsA prospective randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted involving 58 patients who underwent FNS fixation for femoral neck fractures (FNFs) during a 10-month period from September 2023 to June 2024. They were randomly assigned to two groups: an immediate weight-bearing and early ambulation (IWBEA) group (within 48 h) and a delayed weight-bearing and ambulation (DWBA) group (after 6 weeks). Outcomes included time of hospitalization, fracture healing time, in-hospital complications, functional performance, pain severity, and activities of daily living.
ResultsThe IWBEA group showed a shorter time of hospitalization [median 6.0 (IQR 5.0–7.0) days vs. 7.0 (IQR 6.5–13.5) days, P = 0.002], a lesser fracture healing time [median 11.0 (IQR 10.0–12.5) weeks vs. 12.0 (IQR 11.0–13.0) weeks, P = 0.040], and a lower rate of in-hospital complications (6.9% vs. 27.6%, P = 0.037). At 12-month follow-up, activities of daily living [median 100.0 (IQR 95.0–100.0), P = 0.350], functional performance [median 12.0 (IQR 11.0–12.0), P = 0.289], pain severity [median 1.0 (IQR 0.0–2.0), P = 0.765], and Avascular Necrosis (AVN) incidence (χ2 = 1.673, P = 0.196) were comparable between groups.
ConclusionsThe IWBEA rehabilitation protocol can reduce time of hospitalization, fracture healing time, and incidence of in-hospital complications. In undisplaced intracapsular hip fractures treated with FNS, an IWBEA should be preferred.
Trial registrationChinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2500099199).