Functional outcomes of patients with multiple limb trauma

A retrospective chart review was performed to assess the effects of acute care hospital-based rehabilitation in patients with multiple limb trauma on functional status and length of stay and to determine whether the distribution of limbs involved has any effect on these variables. Admission and discharge motor Function Independence Measure scores and length of stay were compared for all patients and the injury subgroups. Significant functional gains were made between admission motor Functional Independence Measure (45.4+/-11.9) and discharge motor Functional Independence Measure (74.1+/-11.6; P < 0.05) for the group as a whole and across subgroups, with no significant differences between the subgroups. For all patients, the rehabilitation length of stay was 27.7+/-23.0, with again no difference noted between the subgroups. Individuals with functional deficits attributable to multiple limb trauma benefit significantly from comprehensive intensive acute inpatient rehabilitation. The distribution of limbs involved has little effect on functional outcome or length of stay.