A study published online in the Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma examines factors linked to health-related quality of life following open fracture. The researchers drew data on 1,427 open fracture patients from a prospective, randomized, controlled trial conducted in the United States, Canada, Australia, and India. 

They found that smoking, lower pre-injury SF-12 Physical Component Score (PCS) and Mental Component Score (MCS), and work-related injuries were significantly associated with lower SF-12 PCS and MCS at 12-month follow-up. In addition, lower extremity fracture and a wound not closed at initial irrigation and débridement were significantly associated with lower 12-month SF-12 PCS but not MCS scores. The researchers note that only the adjusted mean difference for lower extremity fractures approached the minimally important difference for SF-12 PCS. Learn more...