title: Injury to the human median and ulnar nerves in the forearm--analysis of costs for treatment and rehabilitation of 69 patients in southern Sweden.
abstract: This study analysed the costs of median and ulnar nerve injuries in the forearm in humans and factors affecting such costs. The costs within the health-care sector and costs of lost production were calculated in 69 patients with an injury to the median and/or ulnar nerve in the forearm, usually caused by glass, a knife, or a razorblade. Factors associated with the variation in costs and outcome were analysed. The total median costs for an employed person with a median and an ulnar nerve injury were EUR 51,238 and EUR 31,186, respectively, and 87% of the total costs were due to loss of production. All costs were higher for patients with concomitant tendon injuries (4 tendons). The costs within the health-care sector were also higher for patients who changed work after the injury and if both nerves were injured. Outcome was dependent on age and repair method.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hand Surgery, Malmö University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden. hanse.rosberg@hand.mas.lu.se
authors.forename: H E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Rosberg
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Carlsson
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Höjgård
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lindgren
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lundborg
authors.forename: L B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Dahlin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D005260:Female; D005543:Forearm Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008475:Median Nerve / Q000293:injuries*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012046:Rehabilitation / Q000191:economics*; D013548:Sweden; D020196:Trauma, Nervous System / Q000191:economics* / Q000209:etiology; D014459:Ulnar Nerve / Q000293:injuries*