ArticleScientific reports2026
A qualitative study to reveal devastating impacts of chronic fracture-related infection.
Article in Scientific reports, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
A substantial proportion of the estimated 178 million new fractures occurring worldwide in 2019 are complicated by fracture-related infection (FRI), with reported rates of approximately 5%. The treatment is complex, including multiple surgeries and long courses of antibiotics, and carries a high risk of recurrence. This study aimed to explore the multidimensional impacts of fracture-related infection (FRI) on patients' lives through qualitative investigations. This single-center study in China conducted qualitative semi-structured interviews with 19 patients (11 males, 8 females; age range: 23-73 years) with chronic, complex fracture-related infection (FRI) who underwent definitive surgical intervention and antimicrobial therapy for FRI at a specialized bone infection center. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, anonymized, and analyzed using thematic framework analysis. A multidimensional conceptual framework of disease burden was employed to structure the analytical themes. To ensure rigor, dual coding was performed on four randomly selected transcripts. Participants were interviewed 6-12 months post-revision surgery. Thematic analysis revealed six overarching themes: disease onset and perception, physiological impacts, psychological distress, social consequences, resource utilization and burden, and unmet support needs. Participants described delayed diagnoses, persistent pain, functional disabilities, and profound psychosocial disruptions, with many labeling FRI as "devastating" or "life-altering." Persistent infections necessitated prolonged antibiotic use, repeated surgeries, and substantial financial strain. Social stigma, role reversals, and unemployment exacerbated isolation, while fragmented care pathways and inadequate clinician-patient communication amplified uncertainty. Our findings underscore FRI's intersectional burdens, demanding multidisciplinary interventions to address its prevention and treatment. This study highlights the urgent need for enhanced diagnostic protocols, patient-centered care models, and policy refinement to mitigate FRI's societal and economic toll.
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