TIME LOST FROM WORK FOLLOWING A DISTAL RADIUS FRACTURE

Abstract

This study investigated the time lost from work following a distal radius fracture and its predictors. A cohort of one hundred and sixty-eight workers who experienced a distal radius fracture were followed at two, three, six, and twelve months to determine their work status. The average number of weeks lost from work was 9.5 weeks. Significant correlates with lost-time from work were: energy of injury, occupational demand, workers compensation, initial radial inclination on x-ray, baseline PRWE and DASH scores and Mental Component-SF-36). Without self-report, 45% of the variation in lost-time was explained by workers compensation status, radial inclination, occupational demand, energy of injury, sex and age.

This study investigated the time lost from work following a distal radius fracture and its predictors.

Time lost from work after a distal radius fracture is highly variable. Patients who have higher job demands (hand use), are on workers compensation, report higher initial pain/disability and who present with more severe displacement have the highest lost-time.

This data defines average expectations of return to work and the extent to which injury, job and personal characteristics influence it.

The average number of weeks lost from work was 9.5 weeks ( median= 6; 75th percentile=12 SD=9.6; range = 0–44). Significant correlates with lost-time from work were: energy of injury, occupational demand, workers compensation, initial radial inclination on x-ray, baseline PRWE and DASH scores and Mental Component-SF-36). A stepwise multiple linear regression found that 50% of the variation in lost-time could be explained on the basis of the initial PRWE, occupational demand and radial inclination. Without self-report, 45% of the variation in lost-time was explained by workers compensation status, radial inclination, occupational demand, energy of injury, sex and age.

A cohort of one hundred and sixty-eight workers who experienced a distal radius fracture were enrolled. Age, sex, education level, smoking status, alcohol consumption, injury compensation status, occupational use of hand, energy of injury and radiographic injury severity (pre-reduction radial shortening, radial inclination, dorsal angulation) were recorded. Patients were followed at two, three, six, and twelve months to determine their work status. Multiple linear regression identified predictors of time lost from work.