Long-term patient reported outcomes after revision surgery for lower extremity nonunion: A retrospective cohort study

Abstract

Introduction: Ongoing lower extremity long-bone nonunion is a devastating condition and associated with substantial patient morbidity. There is limited evidence regarding physical and mental function after surgical management of lower extremity nonunions. The purpose of this study was to assess general physical and mental health and lower extremity specific physical function of patients that underwent surgery for a lower extremity long-bone nonunion.

Methods: One-hundred and twenty-four adult patients who underwent successful surgical management for a lower extremity long-bone nonunion between June 2002 and December 2021 were evaluated at an average follow-up of 8.6 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 4 - 12). General physical and mental health was assessed with the Short-Form 12 (SF-12) physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) component summaries, and lower extremity specific physical function with the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS). Multivariable linear regression was performed to identify variables that were independently associated with outcomes.

Results: The median LEFS was 50 (IQR: 37 - 63) and the median SF-12 PCS was 43 (IQR: 33 - 52), which are both lower than normative population scores (LEFS: 77 and PCS: 51, p < 0.0001). The median SF-12 MCS was 50, which was comparable to the normative population score of 51 (p < 0.0001). The number of previous surgeries before the index nonunion treatment (p = 0.018 and p = 0.041) and the number of revision surgeries after the index nonunion treatment (p = 0.022 and p = 0.041) were associated with lower LEFS and SF-12 PCS scores.

Conclusion: At an average of 8.6 years after lower extremity nonunion surgery that led to bone healing, patients continue to report lower general and lower extremity specific physical functioning compared to the normative population. The number of surgical attempts to obtain definitive healing was associated with compromised physical function scores. Mental health scores may return close to normative population scores. These results can be used to inform patients and guide treatment strategies and healthcare policies.

Keywords: Femur; Nonunion; Patient-reported outcome; Revision surgery; Tibia.