Treatment of lower-extremity long-bone fractures in active, nonambulatory, wheelchair-bound patients

A retrospective review of surgically treated lower-extremity long-bone fractures in wheelchair-bound patients was conducted. Between October 2000 and July 2009, eleven lower-extremity fractures in 9 wheelchair-bound patients underwent surgical fixation. The Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment, Short Form, and Spinal Cord Injury Quality of Life questionnaires were used to assess functional outcome. Mechanism of injury for all patients was a low-energy fall that occurred while transferring. Four patients who sustained a distal femur fracture, 1 patient who sustained a distal femur fracture and a subsequent proximal tibia fracture, and 1 patient who sustained a proximal third tibia shaft fracture underwent open reduction and internal fixation with plates and screws. Three patients with 4 midshaft tibia fractures underwent intramedullary nailing. At last follow-up, all 9 patients had returned to their baseline preoperative function. Quality of life was significantly higher (P<.01) than the Spinal Cord Injury Quality of Life questionnaire's reference score. Self-reported visual analog scale pain scores improved significantly from time of fracture to last follow-up (P=.02). All fractures achieved complete union, and no complications were reported. This study's findings demonstrate that operative treatment in active, wheelchair-bound patients can provide an improved quality of life postinjury and a rapid return to activities.