OBJECTIVES: 

To assess trends in Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information Systems (PROMIS) Physical Function (PF) and Pain Interference (PI) in surgically treated tibial shaft fracture patients progressing to union versus nonunion.

METHODS:  Design: 

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: 

Level 1 trauma center.

Patient Selection Criteria: 

Patients with operatively treated tibial shaft fractures (AO/OTA 42-A, B, C) using an intramedullary nail.

Outcome Measures and Comparisons: 

PROMIS PF and PI were compared between patients progressing to union and patients requiring nonunion repair.

RESULTS: 

A total of 234 patients (196 union, 38 nonunion) were included consisting 144 men and 90 women. The mean age of included patients was 40.8 years. A significant difference in mean PROMIS PF between union and nonunion patients was observed at 1–3 months (P = 0.005), 3–6 months (P < 0.001), 6–9 months (P = 0.003), and 6–12 months (P = 0.018). The odds of developing nonunion for every unit decrease in PROMIS PF was significant at 3–6 months (OR 1.07, P = 0.028) and 6–9 months (OR 1.17, P = 0.015). A significant difference in mean PROMIS PI between union and nonunion patients was observed at 1–3 months (P = 0.001), 3–6 months (P = 0.005), and 6–9 months (P = 0.005). The odds of developing nonunion for every unit increase in PROMIS PI was significant at 1–3 months (OR 1.11, P = 0.005), 3–6 months (OR 1.10, P = 0.011), and 6–9 months (OR 1.23, P = 0.011).

CONCLUSIONS: 

Poorly trending PROMIS PF and PI in the clinical setting is a factor that can be used to evaluate progression to nonunion following tibial shaft repair where imaging studies may lag behind.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 

Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.