Hip fractures: an increasing health care cost.

Studies in several countries have indicated that there is likely to be a dramatic increase in the number of hip fractures in the early part of the 21st century. At a time when health care costs are coming under close scrutiny internationally, the added financial burden of the increasing number of fractures is of concern. This study analyzes the cost of treating hip fractures in New Zealand in 1990 and projects forward the costs of treatment and the percentage of that portion of the government's health budget for the years 2001 and 2011.