Evaluation the Treatment Outcomes and Disabilities in Hand Injuries

Abstract

Background: Hand injuries are the common cause of admissions in emergency departments that may lead to permanent disability and limitation of motion of the hand and loss of time work in patients. Multiplications of industries lead to increases of accidental injuries including hand injuries. As any study was not done on this issue in Iran, this research was designed for evaluation of causes, severity, distribution and functional outcomes of hand injuries. Methods: In this prospective simple convenience study, 328 patients came to Kashani hospital, Shahrekord, Iran, with hand injuries were evaluated in 2007; evaluation was done by both, patient and physician. After 1-year follow-up of patients, collected data were analyzed via SPSS software using chi-square,ANOVA, t and Tukey statistical tests. Findings: Hand injuries occurred in more men. 57.2% of the patients had hand injury in dominant hand. 127 adult patients were injured during work. Open hand injuries were more common in patients. Most of the hand injuries occurred between 12 midday and 6 pm. After 12 months of follow-up, 56 patients had complaints of pain, swelling and joint stiffness. 35 patients had only complaint of pain. Evaluating fingers function, pinching, finger opposition, sensibility and grasping were decreased. Conclusion: Education, using safety equipment, and avoiding precise works in critical hours can lead to decrease hand injuries.

Keywords

• Open fractures
• Finger fractures
• Hand injuries