Analysis of return to work factors after internal fixation for patients with traumatic thoracolumbar burst fractures
Objective To analyse risk factors for return to work(RTW)after internal fixation for patients with traumatic thoracolumbar burst fractures.Methods 182 patients with traumatic thoracolumbar burst fractures treated at our hospital from May 2021 to May 2023 were selected.Demographic,occupational,and clinical factors were collected and analyzed.Multifactorial logistic regression was used to analyze the independent risk factors for RTW after internal fixation for patients with traumatic thoracolumbar burst fractures.Results The postoperative RTW rate within 1 year in 182 patients was 76.9%(140 cases),of which 4.9%(9 cases),38.5%(70 cases),and 33.5%(61 cases)were within 3 months,3-6 months,and 6-12 months after surgery,respectively;in addition,the postoperative failure to RTW rate was 23.1%(42 cases).The reasons included chronic pain in 16 cases(38.1%),mobility problems,strength and endurance decrease in 11 cases(26.2%),inability for previous work and work environment in 10 cases(23.8%),and depression in 5 cases(11.9%).The proportion of education(postgraduate)and GCS were lower in the non-RTW patients than in the RTW patient.The age,sex(male),occupation(heavy work),comorbidities,CCIs,ISS,the number of fractured vertebrae(multiple),mechanism of fracture(road traffic accidents)and VAS were higher than those of the RTW patients(P<0.05).Multifactorial logistic regression showed that age,education,ISS,fracture mechanism and VAS were independently associated with non-RTW risk independently(P<0.05).Age:[OR(95%CI)1.010(1.001-1.318)];education:specialist and undergraduate[OR(95%CI)0.844(0.646-0.934)],postgraduate[OR(95%CI)0.823(0.673-0.974)];ISS:serious injury[OR(95%CI)1.235(1.132-1.586)],severe injury[OR(95%CI)1.422(1.234-1.954)];fracture mechanism[OR(95%CI)1.543(1.276-2.053)];VAS[OR(95%CI)1.532(1.321-2.003)].Conclusions Age,education,injury severity,fracture mechanism,and pain are associated with the risk of non-RTW for patients with traumatic thoracolumbar burst fractures.Attentions to these risk variables and more aggressive postoperative measures will help prompt RTW.
Wounds and injuriesSpinal fracturesFracture fixation,internal