Association of Postoperative Infections After Fractures With Long-term Income Among Adults

Key Points Question Is a postoperative infection after a fracture associated with long-term income loss? Findings This cohort study of 11 673 patients that linked 14 years of academic trauma center data with state tax records estimated that, among patients with fractures treated surgically, a postoperative infection was associated with a $6080 decrease in annual household income in the 6 years after injury. Meaning This study suggests that postoperative infections have significant and sustained income-associated implications for patients with a fracture.