A genetic study of an orthopedic referral center

There is a substantial genetic component in the orthopedic population studied. Twenty-five percent of the new patients and 46% of the specialty clinic populations had a genetic disorder. The single-gene component was 7.2% and 13% in these two patient populations studied. In comparison to the previously studied pediatric populations, the single-gene component was almost double that found in the inpatient pediatric population, and seven times greater than that in the outpatient pediatric population. Our results suggest that genetic counseling should play an important part in orthopedic care and management, especially at the orthopedic and tertiary referral centers.