Smoking places the patient at risk for increased time to union and complications. Previous smoking history also appears to increase the risk of osteomyelitis and increased time to union. The results highlight the need for orthopaedic surgeons to encourage their patients to enter a smoking cessation programs.

The results confirm previous conclusions that reconstruction for the treatment of injuries below the distal part of the femur typically results in functional outcomes equivalent to those of amputation. Regardless of the treatment option, however, long-term functional outcomes are poor. Priority should be given to efforts to improve post-acute-care services that address secondary conditions that compromise optimal recovery.

Therapeutic Level II. See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

No abstract

Return to work after severe lower extremity trauma remains a challenge. Although the causal pathway from injury to impairment and work disability is complex, this study points to several factors that influence RTW that suggest strategies for intervention.

These estimates add support to previous conclusions that efforts to improve the rate of successful reconstructions have merit. Not only is reconstruction a reasonable goal at an experienced level-I trauma center, it results in lower lifetime costs.

No abstract

EF is a viable alternative to attain temporary rigid stabilization in patients with multiple injuries. It is rapid, causes negligible blood loss, and can be followed by IMN when the patient is stabilized. There were minimal orthopedic complications.