Expected long-term outcome after a tibial shaft fracture

Objective: A prospective study of 207 laymen and professionals answered a questionnaire regarding the expectations of the long-term outcome 6 months after a unilateral tibial shaft fracture. The aim was (1) to disclose the expected outcome after unilateral tibial shaft fracture, and (2) to compare these expectations with the outcome measured in patients, Methods: There were five groups of nonpatients: (1) 42 orthopedic surgeons, (2) 36 physiotherapists, (3) 42 students, (4) 49 white collar workers, and (5) 38 blue collar workers. Outcome was measured by Sickness Impact Profile (SIP), The SIP scores were compared with SIP scores obtained from 33 patients with a unilateral tibial fracture. Results: Marked variation was observed between the groups. Conclusion: Physiotherapists expected the lowest degree of disability and orthopedic surgeons the highest. In the three groups of students, white collar workers and blue collar workers only minor variations were observed and their SIP scores showed better correlation with the SIP scores obtained from the patients than those of orthopedic surgeons and physiotherapists.