Recovery after hip fracture: what can we learn from the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure?

This study sought to determine the extent to which the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) assessed performance in elderly people after hip fracture. Correlations were found between the COPM and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Although functional improvement was noted, participants did not attain the functional status they had before hip fracture. The greatest recovery occurred within the first 130 days after surgery. These findings suggest some central implications for occupational therapy practice, although further research is required to determine the optimal time for intervention to begin. Because the COPM is sensitive to change in function in patients recovering from hip fracture, COPM use with this population is desirable and advisable.