A study of factors influencing return to work after wrist or ankle fractures

Background Factors associated with time to return to work are poorly understood for occupational injuries, other than those to the back. Methods Anonymized data on claims for work-related wrist or ankle fracture between 1/1/1998 and 12/31/2002 were identified in administrative data held by the Workers Compensation Board in Alberta, Canada. Bivariate and Cox regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with return to work. Results Increased duration of temporary disability (TD) was associated with older age, female gender work in construction and construction trade services, smaller company size, higher industry claim rates, a fall/jump from a height, ankle fracture, and greater medical aid costs in the 30 days following injury (used as a proxy for severity). Conclusions Factors associated with longer time off work were largely consistent with those reported following back injury. Median time to return to work was longer following ankle than wrist fracture. Although Workers' Compensation Board (WCB) administrative data provided information that could be used to identify factors affecting return to work, better information on injury severity would considerably enhance their research potential.