ABSTRACT
The early stabilization of fractures and early patient mobilization may account for the falling incidence of FES.
Incidence
FES follows 0.5 to 2% of long bone fractures and 10% of polytrauma cases. The incidence is higher during treatment of metastatic deposits. Subclinical fat embolism follows 50% of long bone fractures, and occurs after instrumentation of the medullary canal in both trauma and joint replacement surgery.
