title: A prospective observational study of 56 patients treated with ring fixator after a complex tibial fracture.
abstract: The objective of this prospective study was to evaluate the patient-reported outcomes for patients with complex tibial fractures treated with a ring fixator. The secondary aim was to analyse the variables affecting patient-reported outcomes and time to union. Fifty-six patients participated in the study. The mean age at the time of fracture was 56.5 years (range 30-86). All fractures united during the study period. The ring fixator was removed at an average of 25.3 weeks (range 9-53). During treatment, the function and QOL increased with time. Compared with an established reference population, the study population showed a significantly worse EQ5D-5L index both throughout the treatment period and 8 weeks after frame removal. 18% of patients reported mild to severe depression 8 weeks after frame removal.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg University, 18-22 Hobrovej, 9000, Aalborg, Denmark. rae@rn.dk.
authors.forename: Rasmus
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Elsoe
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg University, 18-22 Hobrovej, 9000, Aalborg, Denmark.
authors.forename: Søren
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kold
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg University, 18-22 Hobrovej, 9000, Aalborg, Denmark.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Larsen
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg University, 18-22 Hobrovej, 9000, Aalborg, Denmark.
authors.forename: Juozas
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Petruskevicius
keywords: Complex fracture tibial bone; Ilizarov; Pilon fracture; Plateau fracture; Ring fixator; Short-term outcome