RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Lower limb fractures are more frequent among older patients with osteopenia after a low energy fall and/or among young patients who sustain a high energy trauma. The prevalence of hip, femur and knee fractures at the High Specialty Medical Unit, Hospital de Traumatología y Ortopedia "Lomas Verdes" is unknown. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study, descriptive and retrospective design. Cases with low extremity fractures treated from January 1st, 2012 to December 31st, 2013 at the Hip, Femur and Knee Service, High Specialty Medical Unit, Hospital de Traumatología y Ortopedia "Lomas Verdes", were reviewed. RESULTS: Most patients (52.2%) were females; 64.1% of patients were over 60 years of age. Fracture distribution according to the segment involved was as follows: 73.4% (n = 1,327) were femur fractures, 13.5% (n = 244) tibial plateau fractures, and 13.2% (n = 238) patellar fractures. 66.8% (n = 1,209) of patients had a long hospital stay (more than 10 days). According to the anatomical location of fractures, transtrochanteric fractures (49.1%) were the most frequent ones, followed by patellar fractures (13.2%), and femur shaft fractures (12.7%). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of lower limb fractures at our hospital corresponds to what has been reported internationally.