A. Seekamp et al., LONG-TERM RESULTS OF TREATMENT OF PATIENT S WITH MULTIPLE TRAUMA, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO SERIAL LOWER-LIMB FRACTURES, Der Unfallchirurg, 97(2), 1994, pp. 57-63
A random group of multiple traumatized patients (n = 50) was compared
from the aspects of physical rehabilitation and social reintegration w
ith a group of multiple traumatized patients (n=54) all of whom had se
rial fracture of the lower extremity. In both groups automobile accide
nts were the main reason for the injury (in 62%). Motorcycle accidents
were responsible in 29% of cases but resulted in twice as many extrem
ity injuries as car accidents, in addition to which the treatment of p
atients with serial extremity injury lasted twice as long as that of t
hose patients with only single extremity injury. In 40% of the first g
roup more than two secondary hospital treatments were necessary. Two y
ears after trauma working capacity was reduced by less than 20% in onl
y 28.8% of patients with serial injuries as against 69.2% in the rando
mized group. Reduction of working capacity by more than 80% was observ
ed in only 9% of patients in both groups. In these cases reduction of
working capacity was mainly due to severe head injuries and not to lim
b fractures. Return to work was achieved only after retraining in most
such cases, while in others a transfer within the same company made i
t possible. When patients were asked for their own opinions on the fin
al result of treatment, 75% said they were satisfied. Our results unde
rscore the importance of reestablishing normal function and of reinteg
ration after extremity injuries but also the problems involved.