2025, Vol. 7, Issue 2, Part A

Background: Postoperative recovery in orthopedic surgery is a critical period where the risk of complications such as deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, pneumonia, muscle atrophy, and prolonged hospitalization is significantly high. Early mobilization has been increasingly recognized as a vital intervention to improve patient outcomes and enhance recovery after surgery. This study was conducted to assess the impact of early mobilization on postoperative recovery among orthopedic patients.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of early mobilization on recovery outcomes in patients undergoing orthopedic surgery.

Methods: A prospective study was conducted on 30 patients who underwent various orthopedic surgical procedures at a tertiary care hospital. Patients were randomly divided into two groups: Group A (n=15) received early mobilization within 24 to 48 hours post-surgery, while Group B (n=15) received standard postoperative care with delayed mobilization. Recovery outcomes were measured in terms of duration of hospital stay, pain level (using Visual Analog Scale), range of motion, incidence of complications, and overall functional status at discharge.

Results: Patients in the early mobilization group showed significantly shorter hospital stays (mean 5.2 days vs. 8.1 days), reduced postoperative pain scores (mean VAS score 3.4 vs. 5.6), and improved functional mobility at discharge compared to the control group. Additionally, the incidence of complications such as deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary infections was lower in Group A. Statistical analysis using the independent t-test and chi-square test confirmed the significance of differences (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Early mobilization after orthopedic surgery leads to enhanced postoperative recovery, including reduced pain, shorter hospital stay, improved mobility, and fewer complications. Integrating early mobilization protocols into standard postoperative care is strongly recommended to promote better outcomes and faster rehabilitation in orthopedic patients.