Pelvic trauma with displaced sacral fractures: functional outcome at one year.
METHODS
A prospective single-cohort study of 31 patients surgically treated for pelvic injuries with displaced sacral fractures.


OBJECTIVE
To describe the medium term functional outcome in unstable sacral fractures.


BACKGROUND
Displaced sacral fractures pose a special challenge in orthopedic surgery due to the high rate of associated injuries. Little information is available on the medium-term functional outcome of patients with injuries which include unstable sacral fractures.


METHODS
We examined 31 patients with displaced sacral fractures having 10 mm or more displacement, 1 year (mean, 1.4 years; range, 1.0-2.5 years) after injury. Data from a previous study were supplemented with functional outcome measures (work status, independence in ADL, and SF-36). An association between outcome and tested variables was sought.


RESULTS
Fifteen months after injury, 65% of the patients had regained their independence in functions pertaining to daily activities; 33% had returned to work. All dimensions of perceived health were affected. Polytrauma and impairments relative to voiding and sexual function had a detrimental effect on outcome. Fracture characteristics were not predictive of poor outcome.


CONCLUSIONS
Although the majority of patients achieved independent living, medium-term follow-up indicated significant residual disability. The complex nature of these fractures and the associated injuries should be considered in the rehabilitation of these patients.
Tötterman
Anna
A
Ullevål University Hospital, Orthopaedic Department, Oslo, Norway. anna.totterman@ulleval.no
Glott
Thomas
T
Søberg
Helene Lundgaard
HL
Madsen
Jan Erik
JE
Røise
Olav
O
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004651:Employment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009017:Morbidity; D010388:Pelvis / Q000293:injuries; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012042:Registries; D012307:Risk Factors; D012447:Sacrum / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000453:epidemiology; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome