OPEN HAND INJURY PATTERN IN ORTHOPEADIC IN GMC JAMMU- A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

Introduction: The aim of study to analyze the pattern of open hand injuries in patients attending the emergency department in GMC jammu. MATERIAL AND MATHOD: This study is on 100 patients of open hand injury attending orthopedics emergency and OPD from March 2013 to March 2014 at GMC Jammu. All age groups including both males and females were taken up for the study. Data obtained on admission including, name, age, sex, occupation, hand involved , time of injury, time of arrival to hospital, type of machine or weapon causing injury, mode of injury, whether patient was intoxicated at the time of injury, whether patient was overworked or working over time, light was good or poor, and whether patient was skilled or unskilled. On clinical and radiographic examination Fracture pattern, neurovascular injuries and tendon injuries were documented. Data obtained were analysed and presented in frequencies. Results: Data of 100 patient of open hand injuries attending orthopaedic emergency and OPD of GMC Jammu from March 2013 to March 2014 were analysed and presented in frequencies. Majority of patient were in 2nd and 3rd decade of life and were males. Right hand was involved in most of our patients. The most common cause of injury was work or machine related (45%). Majority of patients were farmers and un- skilled workers by occupation. Digits are most commonly involved and phalanges are most common fractured bones. Flexor tendons and digital nerves are other common structures injured. Conclusion: From this study it was observed that most hand injuries are largely due to preventable causes (occupational/ assaults) and and appropriate preventive strategies at work-place would reduce the incidence of hand injuries.