title: Restrictions in quality of life after intramedullary nailing of tibial shaft fracture: a retrospective follow-up study of 223 cases.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the long-term outcome after intramedullary nailing of tibial shaft fracture.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective, cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Level I, Trauma Center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective review of 294 patients treated with intramedullary nailing after tibial shaft fracture from 1998 to 2008. The participants completed Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, and these data were compared with published reference population.
  
  
  METHODS
  Intramedullary nailing of tibial shaft fracture.
  
  
  METHODS
  Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 223 patients agreed to participate (76%). Mean time of follow-up was 7.9 years. Compared to reference population, the study group reported 44% higher incidence of knee pain, 39% higher incidence of function in daily living limitations, 58% higher incidence of limitations in quality of life, and 60% higher incidence of limitations during sports activities. Comparison of age-related differences between the study group and reference population showed that the age group of 18-34 years reported the most difficulties.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Compared with reference population, 60% of the patients experienced limitations in activity and restrictions in quality of life and 44% reported knee pain. This was mainly evident among the young participants.
  
  
  METHODS
  Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
authors.affiliation: *Department of Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy and †Orthopaedic Surgery Research Unit, Research and Innovation Center, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark; ‡Faculty of Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark; §Research Unit for Musculoskeletal Function and Physiotherapy, Institute for Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark; ‖Physiotherapy Department, University College of Northern Denmark, Aalborg, Denmark; and ¶Laboratory for Musculoskeletal Pain and Motor Control, Center for Sensory-Motor Interaction (SMI), Department of Health Science and Technology, Faculty of Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Larsen
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lund
authors.forename: Uffe
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Laessoe
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Graven-Nielsen
authors.forename: Sten
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rasmussen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005594:Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult