Abstract

Hip fracture is one of the most severe fractures in elderly individuals. It is associated with high rates of mortality, morbidity and disability, representing an economic burden for the patients, their families and the healthcare system. For this reason, in addition to the preventive measures that could reduce the incidence of falls and fractures, it is important to identify the factors that could facilitate the postoperative functional recovery after a fracture and the consequent surgery. The main aim of the conducted study was to identify the most important determinants of successful functional recovery immediately after hip fracture surgery in elderly individuals, i.e. to examine and compare the predictive contributions of factors from three different functional recovery performance groups (sociodemographic, health and functional, and psychosocial) among elderly individuals immediately after hip surgery, i.e. on the day of discharge from the hospital. The study involved 150 patients between 65 and 99 years of age (M = 81.63, SD = 8.11) hospitalized for hip fracture surgery, of whom 35 were male and 115 were female. Data on the potential predictors of successful postoperative functional recovery were collected on the day of hospital admission, while data on the postoperative functional status were collected on the day of hospital discharge. The Barthel Index was used to assess the functional status. The study results point to a significant role of sociodemographic characteristics, previous functional status and previous involvement in more strenuous physical activity in the postoperative functional recovery of elderly individuals immediately after hip surgery. The results do not confirm a greater role of the examined psychosocial resources (mental health, resilience and social support) in the course of postoperative functional recovery. The identification and strengthening of the factors that could facilitate patients’ postoperative recovery after hip fracture surgery are of extreme importance, since they could accelerate their recovery and, generally, contribute to their quality of life, as well as lessen the burden on the healthcare system.