Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41263933›Full record

ArticleBMJ open2025

Lived experiences of recovery following musculoskeletal trauma 6 months following injury in the UK: a qualitative study.

Nicola Middlebrook, Nicola R Heneghan, Maria Moffatt, Lucy Silvester, Deborah Falla, Alison B Rushton, Andrew Soundy

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMJ open, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Nicola MiddlebrookDepartment of Health Professions, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK n.middlebrook@mmu.ac.uk.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2154-5723
Nicola R HeneghanSchool of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7599-3674
Maria MoffattSchool of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Lancashire, Preston, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8385-7418
Lucy SilvesterInstitute for Applied & Translational Technologies in Surgery, University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4236-5038
Deborah FallaCentre of Precision Rehabilitation for Spinal Pain, School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1689-6190
Alison B RushtonSchool of Physical Therapy, Western University, Faculty of Health Sciences, London, Ontario, Canada.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8114-7669
Andrew SoundySchool of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5118-5872

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesTraumatic musculoskeletal injuries are common and often life changing. The 6-month period following injury is a critical phase in recovery, during which engagement with rehabilitation professionals can be key to achieving positive outcomes. However, there is limited understanding of which aspects of recovery matter most to patients, how they define a successful recovery and what this looks like when captured during the lived recovery process. The aim of this study was to explore patients' views and perceptions of recovery following musculoskeletal trauma and to understand what constitutes successful recovery at 6 months postinjury.

designQualitative study using interpretative phenomenological analysis through semi-structured interviews.

settingMajor trauma centre in the UK.

participants13 participants (mean age (SD) 51 (17) years, 69% male) completed the interview. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: adults

resultsThree main themes were identified: (1) The recovery journey: participants reflected on their recovery while still processing the accident/injuries. They often drew on other people's experiences to make sense of their recovery. Recovery was accompanied by a range of negative emotions and personal challenges. (2) The outcome: participants used multiple strategies to work towards recovery, guided by personalised individual goals. A successful recovery was defined as their 'normal'. (3) Healthcare/clinicians impact recovery: Participants reported confusion and mixed messages from healthcare professionals, leading to uncertainty around injury management. Fragmented care pathway and difficulties accessing healthcare and support were also highlighted.

conclusionsRecovery at 6 months post injury involves a complex interplay of physical and emotional factors. This period can be particularly challenging to navigate, often with no or limited support. There is a need for a targeted, individualised approach to guide patients through this period of recovery. Participants' focus was on the outcome following their injury, setting goals for the future, with successful recovery defined as 'normal'. Further research is needed to support clinicians in developing effective psychologically informed rehabilitation plans.

Indexed as

Musculoskeletal SystemWounds and InjuriesAdultAgedFemaleHumansInterviews as TopicMaleMiddle AgedQualitative ResearchRecovery of FunctionUnited KingdomMusculoskeletal disordersQUALITATIVE RESEARCHREHABILITATION MEDICINE

Identifiers

PMID41263933
PMCPMC12636951

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.