Functional Outcomes After Both Bone Forearm Fractures in Adults

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Trauma Surgery
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Forearm fractures are common injuries requiring surgical intervention.
• Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) is a standard treatment for these fractures.
• Long-term functional outcomes and psychological impact require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate midterm functional outcomes following ORIF for both-bone forearm fractures.
• To assess the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in this patient cohort.
• To correlate patient-reported outcomes with physical and mental health scores.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of patients treated with ORIF at three level 1 trauma centers.
• Administration of Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) and Short Form-12 (SF-12) questionnaires.
• Analysis of patient data an average of 60 months post-surgery.

Main Results:

• Mean DASH score was 22, indicating moderate functional limitation.
• 28% of patients screened positive for PTSD.
• SF-12 scores were lower in patients with PTSD, suggesting poorer subjective health.
• Physical therapy participation was 72%.

Conclusions:

• Patients undergoing ORIF for forearm fractures experience decreased functional outcomes midterm.
• PTSD is a significant concern, negatively impacting mental and physical health scores.
• Further research is needed to optimize recovery and address psychological sequelae.