Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2021, Vol. 25 ›› Issue (9): 1351-1355.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.3760

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Factors affecting fall fear in the first movement of elderly patients after total knee or hip arthroplasty

Wei Wei1, Li Jian2, Huang Linhai1, Lan Mindong1, Lu Xianwei1, Huang Shaodong1   

  1. 1Department of Orthopedics, Wuming Hospital, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530199, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China; 2Department of Spine and Osteopathy, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
  • Received:2019-12-11 Revised:2019-12-14 Accepted:2020-05-28 Online:2021-03-28 Published:2020-12-15
  • Contact: Li Jian, Master, Associate chief physician, Department of Spine and Osteopathy, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530021, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
  • About author:Wei Wei, Master, Associate chief physician, Department of Orthopedics, Wuming Hospital, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning 530199, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
  • Supported by:
    the Scientific Research Project of Health and Family Planning Commission of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, No. Z20180237

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Hip and knee arthroplasty is currently the fundamental measure to improve the severe joint dysfunction and pain caused by elderly hip and knee joint diseases. However, the fear of falling seriously affects the time for elderly patients to go to the ground, and it is clear that the elderly patients with hip and knee arthroplasty are afraid of falling. The occurrence factors have important guiding significance for the early clinical intervention of such patients.   
OBJECTIVE: To explore the factors influencing the fear of falling during the first ambulation after total knee arthroplasty and total hip arthroplasty in elderly patients.  
METHODS: 242 elderly patients who underwent hip and knee arthroplasty in Wuming Hospital, Guangxi Medical University from January 2015 to January 2019 were selected as the study subjects, and the incidence of fall fear was observed. The risk factors of fall fear were analyzed by single factor and multi-factor Logistic analysis. 
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) The incidence of fall fear was 65.6%. (2) The univariate analysis showed that there was no significant difference in gender and education level between patients with and without fear of falling (P > 0.05). There were significant differences in age, type of replacement, past fall history, pain score, anxiety, depression, types of chronic diseases and visual impairment between patients with and without fall fear (P < 0.05). (3) The multivariate Logistic analysis showed that age (≥70 years old), visual analogue scale pain score of 7-10, anxiety and past fall history were risk factors for falling fear (P < 0.05). (4) It is suggested that elderly patients have a higher incidence of fear of falling when going to the ground for the first time after hip and knee arthroplasties. Post-operative pain, anxiety, age and history of falling are risk factors affecting fear of falling. Clinical attention should be paid to these risk factors in order to alleviate fear of falling and promote early recovery. 

Key words: bone, joint, knee arthroplasty, hip arthroplasty, fear of falling, pain, anxiety

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