Social deprivation and adult tibial diaphyseal fractures.

We present an analysis of the relationship between social deprivation and tibial diaphyseal fractures. We reviewed 1331 patients and have demonstrated a clear relationship between social deprivation and tibial fractures. Deprivation was also associated with male gender and with age, there being significantly less deprivation in older patients. The effect of deprivation on fracture outcome was assessed in 910 patients in whom the tibial fractures were treated by reamed intramedullary nailing. There was no association with non-union or infection, but there was a trend towards increased deprivation in patients who had an amputation which related to a trend for socially deprived patients to have more severe fractures. We believe that the main reason why the effects of deprivation decrease with age relates to the different modes of injury at different ages.