Prevalence of chronic pain after severe lower limb injury (SLLI): A systematic review and meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Globally, severe lower limb injuries (SLLIs) are the predominant cause of long-term injury related disability and poor functional outcomes. Chronic pain is a major source of this morbidity, but the magnitude of the contribution is not clearly understood. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the prevalence of chronic pain following SLLIs in civilian and military patients. METHOD: This systematic review was prospectively registered with The International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) with study ID CRD42022313615. A systematic literature search (Medline, Embase, Ovid, and Web of Science) was performed to identify original studies that reported chronic pain outcomes for adults who underwent surgical treatment for SLLIs in a civilian or military setting. Risk of bias in included studies was assessed using the ROBINS-E tool, and quality assessment was reported at study level using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, and at outcome-level using the GRADE framework. Absolute (proportional) and relative (odds ratio) outcome measures were calculated and pooled using a random effects model. RESULTS: Forty-three studies reporting the outcomes of 5601 patients were included. Estimated overall prevalence of pain was 63 % (CI 55-70 %). The prevalence of chronic pain in amputees (64 % (CI 55-73 %)) was similar to those who underwent limb salvage (56 % (CI 44-67 %)). The prevalence of chronic pain in civilian populations was 70 % (CI 63-77 %) compared to military populations (51 % (CI 35-66 %)). In amputees, the prevalence of residual limb pain was similar to phantom limb pain (OR 1.06 [0.64-1.78], p = 0.81, I2 = 92 %). CONCLUSION: Most people who sustain a SLLI will suffer from chronic pain. Healthcare systems must continue to research interventions that can reduce the incidence and severity of long-term pain and ensure adequate resources are allocated for this common and debilitating complication.