Hospitalization and discharge outcome of trauma patients sustaining sciatic nerve or sciatic branch injuries

This study determined the number and severity of injuries, surgeries, and/or other complications and their impact on the acute hospital course of a series of 15 patients sustaining unilateral traumatic sciatic nerve or sciatic branch injuries. Outcome measures studied were length of stay, time to ambulate independently from admission, starting time for physical therapy, and number of physical therapy sessions. Median length of stay (LOS) and time to independent ambulation with assistive devices from admission were 12 and 8 days, respectively. Seven patients required fasciotomy, five required vascular repair, and five sustained fractures of the involved limb. Patients needing a fasciotomy had a significantly longer LOS (P < 0.002) and time to ambulate independently (P < 0.001), started physical therapy later (P < 0.006), and required more therapy sessions (P < 0.007) before independent ambulation was achieved. Patients with a vascular repair had a significantly longer LOS (P < 0.049) and time to ambulate independently (P < 0.012). These patients trended toward starting physical therapy later (P < 0.063) and requiring more therapy sessions (P < 0.109) before independent ambulation was achieved. The presence of a fracture in the involved limb did not affect outcome variables. The level and severity of nerve injuries were variable; therefore, their effects on LOS and ambulation could not be determined. These findings suggest that fasciotomies and vascular repairs but not fractures adversely affect the acute LOS, time to ambulate independently, start of physical therapy, and number of physical therapy sessions in trauma patients with sciatic nerve or sciatic branch injury. This information may be useful to the consulting physiatrist.