LONG-TERM RESULTS OF TREATMENT OF PATIENT S WITH MULTIPLE TRAUMA, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO SERIAL LOWER-LIMB FRACTURES

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.