Upright time and sit-to-stand transition progression after total hip arthroplasty: an in-hospital longitudinal study

Background
Although early mobilization in hospital is a key element of post–total hip arthroplasty rehabilitation, it is poorly documented.

Methods
To gain quantitative insight into inhospital mobilization, upright times and sit-to-stand transitions (STS) were measured using a thigh-mounted movement sensor in 44 participants (13 males and 31 females), age 50 to 82 years, in an observational, postsurgery, inhospital, longitudinal study.

Results
Some participants performed no activity in the first 24 hours after surgery. However, in the last 24 hours before discharge, participants performed a median of 40 (interquartile range [IQR], 15) STS and spent 134 minutes (IQR, 74 minutes) upright. Activity in rehabilitation constituted 19.4% (IQR, 15.8%) of STS and 13.3% (IQR, 5.5%) of upright time. Females spent longer in hospital (80 hours; IQR, 24) compared to males (54 hours; IQR, 26).

Conclusion
Although there was considerable activity within rehabilitation periods, a large majority of STS and upright time occurred outside rehabilitation. Within the last 24 hours in hospital, all participants were upright for prolonged periods and completed numerous STS.