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Results following prolonged recovery show satisfactory functional and patient-reported outcome after intramedullary nailing of a tibial shaft fracture: a prospective 5-year follow-up cohort study

  • Trauma Surgery
  • Published:
Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Introduction

Although a large number of previous studies have investigated the outcome in patients following tibial shaft fractures, the literature provides limited information on prospectively reported patients with mid- to long-term follow-up. The present study aimed to investigate prospectively the 5-year development in patient-reported quality of life after intramedullary nailing of a tibial shaft fracture.

Material and methods

The design was a prospective, 5-year follow-up cohort study. Quality of life (QOL) was measured with the questionnaire Eq5d-5L and compared to the 1-year outcome reported by the same patients. Secondary outcome measurements were the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), recordings of pain, gait and muscle strength.

Results

Twenty-nine patients were eligible for participation. Mean patient age at the time of the 5-year follow-up was 46.3 years. The 5-year postoperative mean Eq5d-5L index was 0.864 (95% CI 0.809–0.918). The mean Eq5d-5L VAS was 88.4 (95% CI 83.4–93.5). Compared with the same patients’ Eq5d-5L index scores at the 1-year follow-up (0.784), a significant increase was observed (P = 0.014). A comparison to the Danish Eq.5D reference population showed no statistically significant difference.

Conclusions

Patient-reported quality of life among patients treated with intramedullary nailing following a tibial shaft fracture increased significantly between the 1-year and 5-year follow-up. In contrast to the 1-year patient-reported quality of life, results are comparable to those of a reference population at the 5-year follow-up. In a clinical setting, these results highlight that patients may expect a prolonged period to recover. However, of most importance is that patients can expect a satisfactory outcome years after fracture and treatment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark

    Peter Larsen

  2. Department of Orthopaedic Trauma Surgery, Aalborg University Hospital, 18-22 Hobrovej, 9000, Aalborg, Denmark

    Peter Larsen, Christian Berre Eriksen, Rasmus Stokholm & Rasmus Elsoe

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Larsen, P., Eriksen, C.B., Stokholm, R. et al. Results following prolonged recovery show satisfactory functional and patient-reported outcome after intramedullary nailing of a tibial shaft fracture: a prospective 5-year follow-up cohort study. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 141, 1303–1310 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-020-03608-y

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