Functional outcome after treatment of lower-extremity nonunions.
BACKGROUND
The results for nonunion surgery usually have been judged in terms of bony union, time to union, infection rate, range of motion for the adjacent joints, and muscle strength. The goal of this study was to assess the improvement of patient-oriented physical and mental functional outcomes.


METHODS
The functional status of 23 patients with nonunion of the lower extremity was assessed using the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire. The SF-36 subscores were compared with preoperative values and with the average values for the U.S. population.


RESULTS
Of the 23 patients, 21 healed. The functional status for nonunions of the lower extremity was greatly improved 1 year after operative intervention in this study. Nevertheless, the results show that it did not reach the level of the average U.S. population.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study can be used to guide patients' expectations regarding the functional outcome of treatment for a nonunion of the lower extremity.
Zlowodzki
Michael
M
Division of Orthopedic Trauma, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
Obremskey
William T
WT
Thomison
John B
JB
Kregor
Philip J
PJ
D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000601:surgery; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D017102:Fracture Healing; D005599:Fractures, Ununited / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D020127:Recovery of Function; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome