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Background: Falls are one of the most frequent episodes on the hospital wards. Objective: To identify orthopaedic injuries sustained by in-patients falling on the hospital wards and to find out what treatment these required along with the additional time and cost that this incurred. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 900 incident forms and case records was undertaken for a 3-year period. Fractures and other soft-tissue injuries sustained and time, place, and mode of injury were noted. Type of fractures sustained and specific treatment required including operative procedure needed were studied. The cost of each treatment and the total cost in terms of time and money were calculated. Results: We identified 42 patients with orthopaedic injuries; 53% of the falls were recorded on medical wards. A poor pre-fall mobility was an important factor in over 80% of the cases, and a variety of medical conditions pre …