@article{ref1,
title="The physical impact of long bone fractures on adults in KwaZulu-Natal",
journal="South African journal of physiotherapy, The",
year="2020",
author="Singaram, Sevani and Naidoo, Mergan",
volume="76",
number="1",
pages="e1393-e1393",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Limb fractures are increasingly common in low-income and middle-income countries due to an increase in motor vehicle and other accidents. Fractures may often lead to physical impairment that affects an individual's ability to carry out tasks.   Objectives: To assess the physical impact of long bone fractures on adults in KwaZulu-Natal.   Method: A standardised questionnaire pertaining to activities at home and leisure was used to establish patient-reported outcomes at nine public hospitals. English-speaking and isiZulu-speaking participants who had sustained a single long bone fracture in the preceding 4 to 12 weeks at the time of data collection were included. The following activities were evaluated: walking, running, exercising, driving, performing household chores, writing, answering telephones, texting on a cell phone, bathing, using crockery and preparing meals.   Results: A total of 821 participants completed the questionnaire. Ninety-three per cent had closed long bone fractures and 69 per cent were lower limb fractures. Fifty-seven per cent of the fractures were caused by a fall. Female participants (p = 0.19) with lower limb fractures were more likely to have greater difficulty in performing tasks and participants 60 years of age and older (p = 0.001) were significantly more likely to have difficulty performing tasks.   Conclusion: These findings illustrate the daily limitations in patients' everyday activities at home, leisure and in activities such as driving.  Clinical implications: This study highlights the difficulty that some individuals, particularly women and individuals 60 years of age and older, face in performing daily tasks after experiencing a long bone fracture.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0379-6175",
doi="10.4102/sajp.v76i1.1393",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/sajp.v76i1.1393"
}