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Open Repair of Complete Proximal Hamstring Avulsions in Workers' Compensation Patients
Emma E Johnson1, Joseph M Brutico1, Lasya Rangavajjula1
1Rothman Orthopaedic Institute at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine
|September 9, 2022
Summary
Patients receiving workers' compensation after proximal hamstring repair had worse functional outcomes and delayed return to work compared to non-workers' compensation patients. This highlights disparities in recovery and employment for injured workers.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Sports Medicine
- Rehabilitation Science
Background:
- Surgical repair of proximal hamstring avulsions yields excellent results.
- The impact of workers' compensation on patient outcomes remains under-explored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare functional outcomes and return-to-work rates in workers' compensation patients versus a matched control group after proximal hamstring repair.
Main Methods:
- A cohort study (Level of evidence, 3) compared workers' compensation patients (WC group) with matched non-WC controls undergoing proximal hamstring avulsion repair.
- Patient-reported outcome measures included Marx Activity Rating Scale (MARS), Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS), and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain.
- Return-to-work rate and time were recorded.
Main Results:
- Workers' compensation patients reported significantly lower standard and custom LEFS scores compared to controls.
- The WC group returned to work at a lower rate (70.0% vs 94.1%) and required more time (4.3 vs 3.5 months).
- No significant differences were found in MARS or VAS pain scores between groups.
Conclusions:
- Workers' compensation patients experience inferior patient-reported functional outcomes after proximal hamstring repair.
- These patients face challenges with delayed and reduced rates of return to work compared to non-WC patients.
