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Physical function (PF) is a strong predictor for length of stay, complications, readmission, and mortality among patients across different diagnoses. Still, systematic assessment of PF in hospitalised patients is not common, and if, only among the oldest. In this review, we suggest implementation of an easily applicable and validated test battery using the Cumulated Ambulation Score for basic mobility, Handgrip strength for general muscle strength, and the 30s Chair Stand Test for combined function and muscle strength for early identification and treatment of reduced PF in adult patients across diagnoses.

Major lower extremity amputations based on end-stage chronic leg ischaemia or diabetic ulcers with infection are relatively common orthopaedic procedures. Patients are usually evaluated for the possibility of lower extremity revascularisation. Those who are not fit for vascular surgery are transferred to an orthopaedic department for amputation. These patients are a big challenge as they are by definition multi-morbid individuals, who have to undergo major surgery. The high mortality rate in this population warrants new approaches, including optimised multidisciplinary regimes.

In Denmark, 10,000 patients with hip fractures are annually admitted to hospital. These patients are generally old with a high degree of comorbidities. Current treatment strategies for peri- and postoperative treatment are presented in relation to patient reconvalescence. Overall expected hospitalization is 5-25 days with 1-3 months of analgesic treatment and physiotherapy. The 30-day mortality is 10% and the reoperation rate is 10-20%. The use of specialized centres and accelerated clinical programmes in Denmark is recommended.

Introduction: We did a study to validate the Timed Up & Go (TUG) and New Mobility Score (NMS) as predictors of functional mobility, functional level, change of residence and home aid, six months after hip fracture., Materials and Methods: We followed 200 consecutive unselected hip fracture patients admitted to a special hip fracture unit in an orthopaedic ward. All patients followed a well-defined care plan with multimodal rehabilitation including early surgery, epidural analgesia and anaesthesia, nutritional supplementation and an intensive physiotherapy programme. The NMS was recorded on admission, the TUG at discharge and again after six months., Results: Both the TUG and the NMS were significant predictors for all four outcome parameters, but the NMS was the only score with a highly significant correlation (p <0.001) with mobility and functional level., Conclusion: The NMS on admission is better than the TUG on discharge for prediction of the functional outcome six months after hip fracture.