Functional limitation and associated factors among adults with post fractures of lower limb visiting university of Gondar orthopedics outpatient department university of Gondar compressive specialized hospital, Gondar north west Ethiopia 2020

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Fracture of lower extremity is life treating because of excessive bleeding and associated soft tissue injury. Survivors are prone for life long functional impairment, like: limited range of motion, weakness, pain, impaired weight bearing status and limited independence of activity of daily living. Later patients faced in ability to perform a socially defined roles and tasks within a sociocultural and physical environment. Even though the magnitude and cause of lower limb fracture was studied, no study explored functional limitations and associated factors in Ethiopia ,which is a gap to be filled as soon as possible because developing countries like Ethiopia can’t afford further burden of disability. Objective: To determine burden of functional limitations and associated factors of patients with lower limb fracture. Methods: Institutional cross-sectional study was conducted among 226 patients with lower limb fracture in orthopedics outpatient department with a convenient non probability sampling technique. Data collection was conducted by face to face interview using a semi structured questionnaire adopted from different studies, lower extremity functional scale questionnaire, chart review and objective measurements, range of motion using plastic goniometer, height by stadiometer, weight by weight scale and pain by visual analog scale. Data was entered in EPI info version 7 and analyzed using SPSS version 25 using logistic regression model and chisquare(X 2 ) and significant p <0.05. Result: The overall level of functional limitation was 42.3 %( 39.31-45.33). Level of education (OR: 5.503, 95%CI 1.707-17.742), complication during hospitalization (OR 3.264, 95%CI 1.147-9.294), pain in visual analog scale (OR: 3.186, 95%CI 1.399-7.259), knee flexion and ankle planter flexion (OR: 4.379 95%CI 1.071-17.889) and 6.785 95%CI 2.129-21.794) respectively were significantly associated with limited functional activity. Conclusion: This study found that majority of the participants were with limited functional activity and patients with below knee fracture and duration of hospitalization more than four week were more functionally limited. The associated factors were, low level of education, complication during hospitalization, pain, decreased range of knee flexion and ankle planter flexion. Recommendation: physiotherapists shall provide in patient physiotherapy, Orthopedician shall consult to physiotherapist. Ministry of health and hospital managers shall expand rehabilitation department. Duration of hospitalization better to be reduced. Key words: functional limitation, lower limb fracture, adult, Gondar, Ethiopia