Sarcouncil Journal of Medicine and Surgery

Abstract: This study constitutes a retrospective cohort analysis conducted at a number of different hospitals in Iraq between 1 March 2024 and 2 February 2025. The mean age of the subjects was found to be 45.3 years (± 12.4 years), and 60% of the subjects were male. The primary objective of this study was to examine the incidence and demographic associations with quality of life following post-fracture complications. The most prevalent complications included malunion (23.3%) and soft tissue injuries (26.7%). Non-union (16.7%), haematoma formation (13.3%), and vascular/nerve injuries (13.3%) followed. Osteomyelitis (6.7%) was the least frequent but serious complication, and A high incidence was observed among the 31-45 and 46-60 age groups compared to other age groups (p=0.001, p=0.032, respectively). No statistically significant difference was observed between patients under fifteen years of age (p=0.14) and those above 61 (p=0.54). The analysis revealed that fracture location and type were significant factors, with femur fractures demonstrating the highest complication rate (50%) among the cases. Open fractures (20%) were predicted to have a complication rate of 66.7% and 25% in closed fractures. Osteomyelitis (QoL score: 42.0 ± 8.1) and non-union (48.5 ± 11.2) were identified as conditions that severely reduced QoL (p<0.001). Patients with no complications exhibited significantly higher means (69.5 ± 12.0). CT scans are vital diagnostic tools for post-fracture complications in middle-aged patients. In the case of open fractures, the occurrence of malunion and soft tissue injuries outweighs osteomyelitis and non-union assessments regarding welfare impacts. Interventions targeted at such high-risk populations could lead to a decrease in long-term disability through timely intervention.