[Long-term results of therapy of polytrauma patients with special reference to serial fractures of the lower extremity].

A random group of multiple traumatized patients (n = 50) was compared from the aspects of physical rehabilitation and social reintegration with a group of multiple traumatized patients (n = 54) all of whom had serial fracture of the lower extremity. In both groups automobile accidents were the main reason for the injury (in 62%). Motorcycle accidents were responsible in 29% of cases but resulted in twice as many extremity injuries as car accidents, in addition to which the treatment of patients with serial extremity injury lasted twice as long as that of those patients with only single extremity injury. In 40% of the first group more than two secondary hospital treatments were necessary. Two years after trauma working capacity was reduced by less than 20% in only 28.8% of patients with serial injuries as against 69.2% in the randomized group. Reduction of working capacity by more than 80% was observed in only 9% of patients in both groups. In these cases reduction of working capacity was mainly due to severe head injuries and not to limb fractures. Return to work was achieved only after retraining in most such cases, while in others a transfer within the same company made it possible. When patients were asked for their own opinions on the final results of treatment, 75% said they were satisfied. Our results underscore the importance of reestablishing normal function and of reintegration after extremity injuries but also the problems involved.