This study aimed to identify the functional and surgical implications for adult patients with fractures, characterizing the demographic profile of the study sample, to assess the functional independence of victims of fractures and discuss the implications related to surgical procedures involved in treating these patients. The survey was conducted between November 2006 and April 2007 with 74 patients admitted to a hospital in Sao Paulo. Male subjects were predominant (91.9%), mean age 31.8 years, whites (51.3%), victims of accidents (51.4%). Fractures of lower limbs accounted for 73.0% of cases and upper limbs 13.5%. The accidents were responsible for 58.1% of admissions. Regarding Functional Independence Measure (FIM), there was an increase in mean values of FIM during the evaluation. Moreover, there is a decrease of these values in cases of accidents and pedestrian accidents and in those whose limbs are affected.
Wounds and injuries; External causes; Orthopedic nursing; Emergency nursing; Health education
