Article

OBJECTIVE: To systematically review the effect of early mobilization after hip or
knee joint replacement surgery on length of stay in an acute hospital. METHODS:
Randomized controlled trials were selected from electronic databases based on
inclusion criterion requiring an experimental group mobilizing (sitting out of
bed/walking) earlier than a comparison group post joint replacement surgery of
the hip or knee in an acute hospital. Clinically homogeneous data were analyzed
with meta-analysis. RESULTS: Five randomized controlled trials (totaling 622
participants) were included for review. A meta-analysis of 5 trials found a
reduced length of stay of 1.8 days (95% confidence interval 1.1 to 2.6) in favor
of the experimental group. In 4 of the 5 trials the experimental group first sat
out of bed within 24 hours post operatively. In 4 of the 5 trials the
experimental group first walked within 48 hours post operatively. Individual
trials reported benefits in range of motion, muscle strength and health-related
quality of life in favor of the experimental group. There were no differences in
discharge destinations, incidence of negative outcomes or adverse events
attributable to early mobilization when compared to the comparison groups.
CONCLUSION: Early mobilization post hip or knee joint replacement surgery can
result in a reduced length of stay of about 1.8 days. Trials that reported these
positive results showed that early mobilization can be achieved within 24 hours
of operation. This positive gain was achieved without an increase in negative outcomes.
CI - (c) The Author(s) 2014.

Langue : ANGLAIS