[Physical capacity following blunt thoracic trauma].

Abstract

In order to extend the knowledge of possibility of action after blunt thoracic injuries 43 patients with largely isolated collar-bone fractures, rib and serial rib fractures as well as vertebral column fractures were questioned about their posttraumatic possibility of action. Essential result: In general, there is a close correlation between the acuteness of pain, the patient's judgment of severity of the injury and the extent of his ability to act during the first posttraumatic minutes. In the further course the ability to act was limited by the extent and the developmental speed of the hematothorax and/or pneumothorax, unless it was primarily limited or completely missing due to pain. Casualties having sustained collar-bone fractures were fully able to act except for a considerably diminished arm-swing. Patients with vertebral column fractures mostly remained lying at the place of accident for fear of a deterioration of the injury sustained and because of severe pain. The casualties' deliberate behavior was the predominant posttraumatic feature. In view of the various forms of rib and/or serial rib fractures with and without a hematothorax/pneumothorax there was a varying posttraumatic clinical picture ranging from freedom from pain to severe pain and non-restricted possibility of action to complete inability to act.