PATTERNS OF FRACTURE MANAGED IN PHYSIOTHERAPY DEPARTMENT, UNIVERSITY OF BENIN TEACHING HOSPITAL, BENIN CITY, EDO STATE, NIGERIA: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

ABSTRACT

Background/Aim: Fractures are a serious public health issue, causing widespread hardship and even loss of life. Despite the dangers posed by fractures in Nigeria, there are insufficient studies on the patterns of fracture cases, particularly those managed by Physiotherapy, and their treatment outcomes, as a result, there is no way to engineer treatment approaches or enforce policies as far as fractures and related traumatic injuries go. This study therefore aims to determine the patterns of fracture cases (The incidence and prevalence of fractures, including statistics on the bones and sites of fractures most predisposed to fractures) and their treatment outcomes. Methods: This research utilized past physiotherapy records from the University of Benin Teaching Hospital's orthopedic unit between 2018 and 2023 (6 years). Only patients who had a confirmed fracture diagnosis and received physiotherapy rehabilitation at the hospital were included. Patients without a confirmed fracture or with incomplete rehabilitation and management records were excluded. Results: This study discovered the physiotherapy records of 224 fracture patients. Most cases involved people aged 31-40 (21%) and males (64%). The leading cause of fractures was road traffic accidents (50%), followed by falls (21%). Closed fractures were more common (76%). The most frequent fracture site was the mid-femoral shaft (13%). Legs were the most commonly fractured body part (24%). Simple fractures were slightly less common than complex fractures (46% vs. 54%). The femur was the most fractured bone (25%), and long bones were most common overall (76%). The year 2022 had the highest number of fracture cases (47%). Axillary crutches were the most common treatment outcome after physiotherapy management. (28%). Open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) was the most common fracture reduction method (52%). Conclusion: This study examined 224 fracture cases from 2018 to 2023, revealing insights into demographics, fracture types, causes, and treatments. It found a male predominance, with the femur being the most fractured bone, mainly due to road traffic accidents and falls. Closed fractures are the most common category of fractures. The mostly adopted reduction methods are Open Reduction, Internal Fixation (ORIF). The use of axillary crutches is the most common treatment outcome of management. Keywords: Fracture, orthopedics, physiotherapy, RTAs