Postoperative impact of daily life after primary treatment of proximal/distal tibiafracture with Ilizarov external fixation

Abstract

Aims and objectives: To describe patients' experience of the impact of their health-related life situation on their daily life two and four weeks after primary fracture treatment with Ilizarov external fixation.

Background: A few studies have been conducted postoperatively focussing on fracture treatment with Ilizarov fixation.

Design: A prospective descriptive research design.

Method: Patients who had been treated for a proximal/distal tibial fracture were invited to participate in the study. Data were collected with a semi-structured questionnaire where 20 patients described in their own words their situation at home two and four weeks postoperatively. The process used when analysing the data was similar to content analysis.

Results: Four key themes were identified: 'limitations in the home environment', 'limitations outside the home', 'limitations to social relations' and 'experience of having an Ilizarov fixation'. The patient's life situation was strongly affected during the first postoperative month. This took the form of clear limitations on activities outside the home and a degree of limitation on coping with household chores and personal hygiene. These limitations became less severe after between 2-4 weeks and were very much a consequence of using crutches.

Conclusion: This study points to limitations in the patient's daily life situation in the home. The results from the study make it obvious that the information given to patients prior to discharge, concerning the value of putting weight on the leg, had not been clear or that the patients had not understood it. This had a negative impact on the patient's daily life after discharge. Further data are needed to uncover the extent of the issue to be able to optimise patient outcomes.

Relevance to clinical practice: There is a need for clearer and more active information from the nurse before discharge but also a need to follow up how the information given is understood.