Study on return to work following surgery on patients with thoracolumbar fracture.

OBJECTIVE The aim is to find rate of return to work of surgically treated thoracolumbar fracture patients and to know if back pain, compensation issues or neurological status influence this rate. METHODOLOGY A retrospective cohort study analysing the patients with thoracolumbar fractures treated surgically from January 2008 till December 2009. RESULTS Neurological status is the main factor deciding return to work in this group. Back pain and compensation related issues were not statistically significant in influencing return to work. 74% of patients in this group return to work. CONCLUSION Return to work among the patients with thoracolumbar fracture, treated surgically, is mainly dependent on neurological status and not the compensation related issues or back pain.