Limb fractures in a defined population. II. Orthopedic treatment and utilization of health care.

This study describes the orthopedic treatment and utilization of health care obtained by 2,333 patients in the population of Rochester, Minnesota, who suffered 2,519 limb fractures during the period 1969 through 1971. Overall, 24% of fracture occurrences required patient hospitalization, the remainder involving care on an ambulatory basis only. The mean number of physician visits was 4.5 per fracture, with the visits occurring during an interval of 103 days from the time of first evaluation. Fifteen percent of limb fractures were subject to at least one surgical operative procedure as part of their orthopedic treatment. The frequency of operative treatment increased markedly with patient age. Seventeen percent of patients with limb fractures received physiotherapy or occupational therapy or both, 4% were ambulatory patients, and the remainder were hospital inpatients. Fractures of the head and neck of the femur constituted only about 7% of fractures in the series, yet utilized an inordinate proportion of health care resources. Hip fractures were responsible for 27% of the hospital admissions, 52% of all bed days utilized, and 56% of the physiotherapy sessions.