CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE
Orthopedic surgery implies high costs for both public and private healthcare. The aim of this study was to better understand the differences between the public and private sectors regarding treatment of a damaged anterior cruciate ligament, which is a common knee injury.
DESIGN AND SETTING
Descriptive cross-sectional study conducted during the Brazilian Orthopedics Congress in Brasília.
METHODS
We applied questionnaires during the 2010 Brazilian Orthopedics Congress, with participation by 241 knee surgeons from 24 Brazilian states. This was followed by statistical analysis on the data that were obtained.
RESULTS
The orthopedic surgeons who were evaluated used different approaches and treatment options in different Brazilian states, comparing between the public and private systems.
CONCLUSION
Both in the public and in the private systems in Brazil, because of non-medical issues surrounding the treatment, the best medical decision is not always made. This may be harmful both to patients and to physicians.
Anterior cruciate ligament; Surgical procedures, operative; Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction; Delivery of health care; Healthcare disparities