Epidemiology of Ankle Fractures in an East of Scotland Major Trauma Centre

Description

In this presentation, Ahmed Elsayed and Ed report on a study investigating the incidence of ankle fractures at a hospital in the East of Scotland, which constitutes a significant portion of adult fractures. They highlight that ankle fractures make up 3.5% to 10.2% of all adult fractures, drawing attention to the potential effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on social activities and subsequently on injury rates. The researchers collected trauma data from 2016 to 2020, excluding conservative and repeat treatments, then analyzed trends based on age, sex, and mechanisms of injury. Findings reveal a 55% increase in annual incidence over the five years, with a higher prevalence among females (60% of cases) and greater incidence in July, January, and December. The bimodal age distribution peaks at 25-29 and 50-54 years, with mechanical falls and sporting injuries identified as the leading causes of these fractures. The study underlines the increasing burden of ankle fractures on healthcare services, aiming to inform resource allocation decisions.

DOI: 10.1302/3114-230375

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