Assumptions
Before these appropriate use criteria are consulted, it is assumed that:
 

  1. There are no medical contraindications to rehabilitation therapies after surgery
  2. Patient and family provided education regarding expectations post-surgery. Return to previous level of function can’t be expected in every patient. Even patients who do may take several months to recover.
  3. Biggest risk factor for a fall is having previously fallen. Part of secondary prevention is a thoughtful fall risk assessment and mitigation program.
  4. Cognitive impairment is strongly associated with falls and fractures. Delirium is also associated with falls, fractures, and surgery. Mitigation of risk is important.
  5. Frail individuals undergoing anesthesia are at risk for many complications.
  6. Outcome of surgery was successful – i.e. reduction was appropriate, stable construct or arthroplasty was achieved by surgery.
  7. This AUC covers single low-energy isolated hip fractures.
  8. For the sake of this AUC, Older Adult is defined as age 60 and above.

Disclaimer:

Volunteer physicians from multiple medical specialties created and categorized these Appropriate Use Criteria. These Appropriate Use Criteria are not intended to be comprehensive or a fixed protocol, as some patients may require more or less treatment or different means of diagnosis. These Appropriate Use Criteria represent patients and situations that clinicians treating or diagnosing musculoskeletal conditions are most likely to encounter. The clinician’s independent medical judgment, given the individual patient’s clinical circumstances, should always determine patient care and treatment.

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