EFFECTS OF MIRROR THERAPY ON EARLY POSTOPERATIVE FUNCTIONAL RECOVERY AND PAIN IN PATIENTS WITH POSTOPERATIVE INTERTROCHANTERIC FEMUR FRACTURE
Keywords:
Intertrochanteric Femur Fracture, Mirror Therapy, Rehabilitation following surgery, Harris Hip Score, Numerical Pain Rating Scale, range of movement, functional recovery.Abstract
Background: Fractures of the intertrochanteric femur are one of the most serious problems in orthopedic trauma because of the considerable postoperative pain, limited range of movements, and long-term immobility. Mirror Therapy is a method based on visual feedback used to help with the recovery of the motor-sensory function.
Objectives: To study the impact of Mirror Therapy on early postoperative recovery, joint movement, and pain in intertrochanteric femur fracture patients undergoing surgical treatment.
Methodology: The prospective, single-blinded randomized controlled experiment was conducted on 54 patients divided into two groups: Group A (Mirror Therapy and Core Rehabilitation, n = 27) and Group B (Control group: Mirror Sham Therapy and Core Rehabilitation, n = 27). Interventions were performed 5 times a week for 6 weeks, each time for 30 minutes. Pain was measured by the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), joint flexion range of movement - by goniometer, and the state of function - by the Harris Hip Score (HHS).
Results: Both groups exhibited intra-group improvement in all parameters throughout the study period (p = 0.001). On the other hand, inter-group analysis indicated better results in Group A in week 6. Group A experienced significantly lower NPRS scores (1.78 (±) 1.12) than Group B (3.63 (±) 1.28; Z = -4.471, p = 0.001). Group A had higher levels of active hip flexion (85.70°pm 8.61° vs. 68.70° (±) 7.98°; Z = -5.548, p = 0.001) and knee flexion (118.41° (±) 8.53° vs. 99.15° (±) 11.13°; Z = -5.210, p = 0.001). In the end, the final HHS value of Group A was categorized as "Good" (82.52 pm 10.58) and Group B as "Poor" (62.41 pm 7.81; Z = -5.280, p = 0.001).
Conclusion: Incorporating Mirror Therapy into routine postoperative rehabilitation decreases pain, increases range of motion and enhances functional recovery in intertrochanteric femur fracture patients.
