Authors: A J Shyam Kumar N BeresfordCleary P Kumar A Barai N Vasukutty S Yasin A Sinha
Publish Date: 2012/08/29
Volume: 23, Issue: 5, Pages: 553-556
Abstract
This study explored whether a relationship exists between preoperative pinch and power grip strength and length of hospital stay in patients undergoing hip and knee arthroplasty at a busy UK hospital We investigated whether handgrip dynamometry could be used preoperatively to identify patients at greater risk of longer inpatient stays This would allow focussed intervention preoperatively and facilitate predictors of length of stay postoperativelyOne hundred and sixtyfour patients 64 male 100 female undergoing lower limb arthroplasty 83 total knee replacement 81 total hip replacement were assessed in preadmission clinic Average measurements of pinch grip power grip and grip endurance were taken from each patient using the Jamar hydraulic dynamometer Jamar USA Duration of inpatient stay of each patient was recordedAverage duration of hospital stay was 94 days Both average pinch grip strength and average power grip strength had a significant negative correlation with duration of inpatient stay Those patients with a pinch grip strength less than 63 kg remained an inpatient for an average of 2 days longer than those with a pinch grip greater than 63 kgThis simple test may be highly beneficial preoperatively in identifying those patients likely to require longer inpatient stays and therefore those who would benefit from early nutritional intervention and focussed physiotherapy It may also facilitate predictors of length of stay postoperatively We believe this may effect significant cost reductions in the NHSThe authors declare they have no conflict of interest All authors have approved the manuscript and are fully conversant with its contents No author has any potential or actual personal financial or political interest in the material An abstract of the work has not previously been published nor have any papers using the same data set or relating to the same topic been published or submitted by any of the authors for consideration elsewhere There is no patient identifiable information included in the manuscript
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