Poster 156 Musculoskeletal Injuries in Dancers

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare the rehabilitative outcomes of 2 common approaches in total hip arthroplasties, in the subacute setting. Design: We obtained a comprehensive list of patients admitted for subacute rehabilitation of total hip arthroplasties between July 2009 and February 2011. Based on the surgical approach documented in electronic medical records, we then separated the patients into the anterior approach group and the posterior approach group, and then compared averages: length of stay, admission Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scores, discharge FIM scores, and FIM gain and dispositions. Setting: A subacute rehabilitation unit. Participants: Admissions to subacute rehabilitation from July 2009 to February 2011 after total hip arthroplasties. Interventions: Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures: Length of stay, admission FIM score, discharge FIM score, and FIM gain and disposition after rehabilitation. Results: During our time frame, 60 patients were admitted to the subacute rehabilitation unit after total hip arthroplasties. Of the 60, only 10 underwent anterior approaches (16.6%). Admission FIM scores were found to be significantly higher in the anterior approach group (Pϭ.028) than in the posterior approach group. Comparison of the two groups' length-of-stays shows the anterior approach group tended to be shorter than the posterior approach group (Pϭ.106). However, no significant difference was found between the 2 groups in discharge FIM scores (Pϭ.164) and FIM gains (Pϭ.364). Discharge FIM scores tended to be higher in the anterior approach group, whereas FIM gains tended to be higher in the posterior approach group. Conclusions: Patients undergoing postoperative subacute rehabilitation for anterior total hip arthroplasties have significantly higher admission FIM scores compared with patients with posterior approach total hip arthroplasties. Anterior approach total hip arthroplasties also tend to have shorter lengths-of-stay and higher discharge FIM scores then posterior total hip arthroplasties. Significantly higher admission FIM scores support the idea that anterior hip precautions are less restrictive of many activities of daily living, when compared with posterior precautions.