Outcome after Musculoskeletal Trauma Treated in a Regional Hospital

Abstract

Optimizing primary care of the trauma victim may help to minimize consequent morbidity. A small group of patients suffer permanent disability, and vocational retraining opportunities should be made available to them.

Routine Follow Up of Major Trauma Patients From Trauma Registries: What are the Outcomes?

“…The findings suggest that the vast majority of major trauma patients have regained independence with basic functional activities and over 60% have returned to work by 6 months postinjury, although outcomes for head injured patients were generally worse. Individual research projects undertaken to assess patient outcomes generally focus on a subset of the population 5,8,19 and exclude patient groups where follow up could be difficult (e.g., no fixed address, history of mental illness, incarcerated, etc.). 7,20,21 The informed consent process also ensures that the types of patients amenable to follow up will be included as others will choose not to participate.…”

“…4 Studies assessing return to work rates at 12 months postinjury have reported figures ranging from 60% to 74%. 5,6,9,21 Improved trauma care has led to a greater chance of survival after serious injury, but the quality of trauma care provided continues to be assessed using measures of mortality. The Trauma and Injury Severity Score (TRISS) is the most common method used to assess trauma center and system performance.…”

Determinants of Long-Term Functional Consequences After Major Trauma

“…26,29,56,57 Others confirmed the influence of medical comorbidities and complications on morbidity (as assessed by Functional Independence Measure [FIM] and Sickness Impact Profile-136 [SIP]). 58,59 Common methods for measuring comorbidity are Trauma and Injury Severity Score Comorbidity (TRISSCOM) 26 and the Charlson comorbidity index. 27,57 The latter can be assessed by questionnaire rather than medical record review.…”

A preliminary RCT of a mind body skills based intervention addressing mood and coping strategies in patients with acute orthopaedic trauma

“…Musculoskeletal injuries represent the leading cause of hospital admissions for adults [1] and often lead to long-term disability [1][2][3][4]. The correlation between impairment and disability is limited in many orthopaedic conditions [5,6], and many patients continue to experience pain and disability long after the musculoskeletal injury occurred.…”