Return to Work After Isolated Spinal Injury: Rates, Predictors, and Implications for Occupational Reintegration.

Philipp Raisch, Tabea Hirth, Michael Kreinest, Sven Y Vetter, Paul A Grützner, Matthias K Jung von Landenberg

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Article in Journal of occupational rehabilitation, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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6 authors.

Philipp RaischDepartment of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery at Heidelberg University, BG Klinik Ludwigshafen at the University of Heidelberg, Ludwig-Guttmann-Straße 13, 67071, Ludwigshafen, Germany.

Tabea HirthDepartment of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery at Heidelberg University, BG Klinik Ludwigshafen at the University of Heidelberg, Ludwig-Guttmann-Straße 13, 67071, Ludwigshafen, Germany.

Michael KreinestDepartment of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery at Heidelberg University, BG Klinik Ludwigshafen at the University of Heidelberg, Ludwig-Guttmann-Straße 13, 67071, Ludwigshafen, Germany.

Sven Y VetterDepartment of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery at Heidelberg University, BG Klinik Ludwigshafen at the University of Heidelberg, Ludwig-Guttmann-Straße 13, 67071, Ludwigshafen, Germany.

Paul A GrütznerDepartment of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery at Heidelberg University, BG Klinik Ludwigshafen at the University of Heidelberg, Ludwig-Guttmann-Straße 13, 67071, Ludwigshafen, Germany.

Matthias K Jung von LandenbergDepartment of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery at Heidelberg University, BG Klinik Ludwigshafen at the University of Heidelberg, Ludwig-Guttmann-Straße 13, 67071, Ludwigshafen, Germany. matthias.jung@bgu-ludwigshafen.de.

Funding

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6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeSpinal injuries are an increasing cause of disability and work absence. While return to work (RTW) is a key outcome, most studies included heterogeneous cohorts with concomitant injuries or spinal cord involvement. This study examined RTW after isolated spinal injury, and identified demographic, clinical, occupational, and socioeconomic predictors of early RTW.

methodsWe conducted a retrospective single-center cohort study of patients ≤ 60 years treated for isolated traumatic spinal fractures or discoligamentous injuries (2016-2020). Patients with spinal cord injury, major concomitant trauma, or pathological fractures were excluded. Structured telephone interviews assessed posttreatment, rehabilitation, and occupational outcomes. Early RTW was defined as resumption of employment within six months. Predictors were evaluated using univariate analyses and multivariable logistic regression after least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) selection.

resultsIn total, 86 patients participated. At 12 months, 71% had returned to work; however, 50% reported workplace limitations and 37% had not regained pre-injury performance. RTW rates varied by treatment and spinal region. In multivariable analysis, surgical treatment (OR 0.13, 95% CI 0.03-0.42), female sex (OR 0.25, 95% CI 0.08-0.72), and working > 30 h/week pre-injury (OR 0.09, 95% CI 0.01-0.66) predicted lower odds of early RTW. Self-employment was positively associated with early RTW in univariate analysis.

conclusionsSociocultural, occupational, and medical factors, including female sex, high pre-injury workload, and surgical treatment, significantly influenced RTW outcomes. Future studies should explore tailored rehabilitation and workplace interventions to support at-risk groups and improve long-term reintegration.

Indexed as

Occupational rehabilitationPredictorsRehabilitation programsReturn to workSociocultural factorsSpinal fracturesVocational reintegration

Identifiers

PMID41862770

DOI10.14245/ns.2040270.135

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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.