What is the epidemiology and burden of foot fractures in the United Kingdom? Analysis of the global burden of disease study 2021.
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Authors
Platt, Nicholas A
Kelly, Andrew
Issue Date
2025-10-15
Type
Journal Article
Language
en
Keywords
Age-specific trends , Epidemiology , Falls , Foot fractures , Global burden of disease , Incidence , Isability , Public health , Regional variation , United kingdom , Years lived with
Alternative Title
Abstract
Background: Foot fractures account for approximately 10 % of all fractures and 40 % of lower extremity fractures. They are associated with pain, mobility limitations, and prolonged recovery, contributing to considerable healthcare and societal costs. While the clinical and economic burden of foot fractures is recognised globally, data specific to the UK population are sparse, outdated, and often grouped under broader injury categories. Given rising demands on the UK's publicly funded NHS, an up-to-date, population-level understanding of foot fracture burden is essential for targeted prevention and planning.
Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study used publicly available model-based estimates from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 study. Incidence and Years Lived with Disability (YLDs) for foot fractures (excluding ankle) were analysed across the UK from 1990 to 2021. Age-standardised incidence rates (ASIR) and age-standardised YLD rates (ASYR) were examined. Poisson regression and Pearson correlation were used to explore associations between geography, age, and incidence. Leading causes of injury were also described.
Results: Between 1990 and 2021, the UK experienced an overall decline in ASIR for foot fractures, from 376.6 to 314.9 per 100,000. All four UK nations showed decreasing trends, with England demonstrating the steepest reduction (annual percentage change: -0.18 %). Regionally, London had the lowest incidence and highest rate of decline. Males had consistently higher incidence rates than females, with adolescent males (15-24) particularly affected. A strong negative correlation was observed between age and incidence (r = -0.850, p < .001), though incidence and YLDs in the elderly increased between 1990 and 2021. Falls were the leading cause of foot fractures, especially among older adults, and their incidence rose markedly over time.
Conclusion: Foot fractures remain a significant and evolving public health issue in the UK, particularly among young men and older women. The observed trends highlight successes in injury prevention but also reveal emerging needs-particularly in fall prevention and support for the ageing population. These findings support more targeted public health strategies and future economic evaluations of injury-related care in the NHS.
Description
Citation
Platt, NA. and Kelly, A. (2025) 'What is the epidemiology and burden of foot fractures in the United Kingdom? Analysis of the global burden of disease study 2021', Injury. 56(12) Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.injury.2025.112809
Publisher
Elsevier
License
Copyright © 2025 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Journal
Injury
Volume
56
Issue
12
PubMed ID
ISSN
1879-0267