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Objective: The objective was to assess functional outcome of rehabilitation in chronic severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) in-patients. Setting: The study was performed at university tertiary research hospital. Study Design: A prospective cross-sectional study Materials and Methods: Forty patients (34 men) with mean age of 30.1 years (range 6--60, SD 10.8), severe TBI (Glasgow coma scale 3--8, duration of coma > 6 hours, post-traumatic amnesia> 1 day postinjury) were admitted in rehabilitation unit minimum 3 months (mean 7.7±4.6 months, range 3--22 months) following injury falling in Glasgow outcome scale (GOS) of 3. Functional recovery was assessed using the Barthel Index (BI) score and disability rating scores (DRS). Data Analysis: Paired Student's t-test was used for the assessment of functional recovery using mean BI scores at admission and discharge. The Wilcoxon nonparametric test was used for the assessment of functional recovery by comparing admission and discharge DRS scores. Results: Mean duration of stay was 30.8 days (range 18--91, SD15.6). Significant functional recovery observed in patients comparing BI and DRS scores at admission and discharge (mean BI admission 50.5±25.4, range 0--85 vs. mean discharge BI score 61.1±25.3, range 0--95, P<0.001, mean DRS admission score 7.57±4.1, range 2.5--21.0 vs. mean discharge DRS score 6.36±4.3, range 1.0-21.0, P<0.001). Conclusion: Patients with severe TBI continue to show functional recovery even in chronic phase with rehabilitation. They are left with significant residual physical and cognitive deficits and would require long-term care and assistance from care givers for the daily activities, as suggested by the mean DRS score at discharge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To report clinical and functional outcomes following fixation of tibial posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) avulsion fractures through Burks and Schaffer's approach when combined with a rehabilitation programme, which emphasizes early range of motion. Design: Retrospective study Setting: Level 1 trauma centre, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi Patients: From December 2006 to June 2009, 18 cases of PCL tibial avulsion injuries presented to our institution and underwent surgical intervention. Patients were followed up for 10 to 16 months (mean 12 months). Intervention: Fixation of tibial PCL avulsion fractures was with one or two 4-mm partially threaded cannulated screw and washer placed through a Burks and Schaffer's approach. Range of motion was begun on postoperative day 2. Main outcome measurements: Range of motion, clinical stability, radiographic appearance, each patient's overall health-related quality of life (using the musculoskeletal functional assessment tool) and gastrocnemius muscle strength were evaluated at final follow-up. Results: Union was achieved in all the cases, and all of them were having clinically stable knee at the time of last follow-up. The average musculoskeletal functional assessment score was 14. (Musculoskeletal functional assessment scores range from 0-100, with higher scores indicating poorer function.) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]