Evaluation of functional restoration outcomes for chronic disabling occupational lower extremity disorders

OBJECTIVE:: To compare patients with chronic low back pain (LBP) with those with chronic lower extremity (LE) disorders. METHODS:: Participants were 2164 consecutive patients with either LE or LBP disorders, admitted to a functional restoration program (FRP). Analyses compared demographic, psychosocial, and work-related factors and 1-year post-FRP socioeconomic outcomes. RESULTS:: Patients with LE disorders initially reported lower symptom levels of depression, pain, and disability and were also less likely to have a substance use or opioid dependence disorder, relative to LBP patients. Both groups improved on measures of pain, disability, and depression after the FRP. Patients in both groups also displayed similarly high return-to-work and work-retention rates 1-year post-FRP. CONCLUSIONS:: This FRP seems to be effective equally for patients with chronic LE disorders and those with LBP disorders.