Co-operation in Home Skin Traction of Patients with Hip Fractures and Treatment Outcomes in Phichit Hospital

Abstract

    Patients with hip fractures with conservative treatment. They were on skin traction  at least 4-6 weeks for relief  pain. And alignment of bone from film x-ray in the line of acceptable. The problems were patients off  skin traction before treatment planning. Not to follow up. The complications  were pressure ulcers.

Objective: To evaluate the co-operation of patients with hip fractures on home skin traction  after discharge, treatment outcomes and complications.

    Design, setting and paticipants: Descriptive research. In orthopedict  patients who had been diagnosed with  fracture intertrochanteric  between October 2556 to September 2557. Admitted in Phichit  hospital  and on home skin traction.

    Main outcomes and measurements : Data were collected  by telephone to patients or caregiver about information, length of home skin traction days and complication.

    Results: A purposive sample; male 28.9 percent, mean age 73.2 ± 14.5 years, 7.7 ± 7.4 length of stay, on home skin traction  until term 67.3 percent, off home skin traction about 3 weeks after discharge. Patients follow-up was 82.7 percent, 92.3 percent no complications, pressure ulcers 7.7 percent. At the finally of the treatment, absolute bed rest(bed-ridden) 8.7 percent, no walking 32.7 percent,  walking  with walker 41.3 percent and walking 17.3 percent. Information  that increases the risk of off  home skin traction before treatment planning include patients aged between 35-59 years and patients who are single or widowed. The length of home skin traction  days increase, opportunity to walk increase.

Keyword:  Fracture inter-trochanteric, Skin traction, Risk factors, Complications, Ambulation, Home care