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Pre-operative predictors of post-operative falls in people undergoing total hip and knee replacement surgery: a prospective study

  • Orthopaedic Surgery
  • Published:
Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Introduction

Pain and disability often persist following hip (THR) and knee replacement (TKR) surgery predisposing patients to increased risk of falling. This study identified pre-operative predictors for post-operative falls in TKR and THR patients, and the incidence and circumstances of falls in the 12 months post-surgery.

Materials and methods

A survey was undertaken of patients before THR and TKR, and was repeated 12 months post-operation. The survey included (1) medical history and medications usage, (2) pain and function, (3) health-related and physical activity and (4) fear of falls and history of falls questionnaires. Patients were classified as ‘fallers’ (≥1 fall) or ‘non-fallers’ based on prospectively documented falls in the 12 months post-surgery. Binary logistic regression was conducted to identify independent pre-operative predictors of incident falls status.

Results

Eighty-two of the 243 participants (33.7%) reported ≥1 fall in the 12 months post-operatively [60 (34.1%) patients following TKR and 22 (32.8%) following THR]. The logistic regression model was statistically significant, χ 2 = 24.731, p < 0.001, the model explaining 22% of the variance in falls, and correctly classifying 73.7% of cases as fallers or non-fallers. Reduced SF-36v2 general health sub-scale, increased planned physical activity and previous falls in the preceding year were predictors of falls. Those reporting ≥1 fall pre-operatively were three times more likely to fall post-operatively.

Conclusion

People awaiting hip or knee joint replacement surgery might present with complex conditions that predispose them to greater risk of falling post-operation. Review of general health and history of falling is recommended pre-operatively to identify patients at risk.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Sport, Exercise and Active Living (ISEAL), College of Sport and Exercise Science, Victoria University, PO Box 14428, Melbourne, VIC, 8001, Australia

    Pazit Levinger

  2. Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Allied Health, College of Science, Health and Engineering, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC, 3086, Australia

    Pazit Levinger, Elin Wee, Soula Margelis & Hylton B. Menz

  3. Warringal Private Medical Centre, Heidelberg, VIC, 3084, Australia

    John R. Bartlett & Neil R. Bergman

  4. The Avenue Hospital, Windsor, VIC, 3181, Australia

    Stephen McMahon

  5. School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science, Curtin University, Perth, WA, 6845, Australia

    Keith D. Hill

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  1. Pazit Levinger
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  2. Elin Wee
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  3. Soula Margelis
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Correspondence to Pazit Levinger.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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All procedures performed in study involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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Levinger, P., Wee, E., Margelis, S. et al. Pre-operative predictors of post-operative falls in people undergoing total hip and knee replacement surgery: a prospective study. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 137, 1025–1033 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-017-2727-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-017-2727-6

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