Suchergebnisse

INTRODUCTION: Hand and distal forearm fractures are among the most common injuries worldwide. To date there is no data on the extent of hand and wrist fractures diagnosed radiologically in Malta. This audit aimed to quantify and analyse all hand and distal forearm fractures treated to establish the amount of hand and wrist injuries, to calculate the potential number of patients requiring specialist hand therapy services and to understand the requirements of the A&E department in the area of hand injuries. ; METHODS: Baseline data was obtained from analysing all orthopaedic X rays over three consecutive months taken in the local A&E department during the study period. Data on hand and distal forearm fractures was analysed. ; RESULTS: Results confirm that 18.6%(n=986) of all orthopaedic X-Rays were of the wrist and hand, 37% of which had confirmed fractures. Distal forearm fractures amounted to 58.4%(n=213) of all hand and wrist fractures. The most commonly injured hand bone was the 5th metacarpal in 24.3%, and 5.9% of all wrist fractures were scaphoid fractures. ; DISCUSSION: Our findings represent our local scenario. In view of an ageing and increasing Maltese population, one should expect numbers of hand and wrist fractures to increase. This data will help ensure the service is prepared with adequate specialised staffing levels to manage these cases. Implementing strategies to prevent such fractures through education programmes and collaboration with government entities, better workplace health and safety and treating osteoporosis early is of crucial. ; peer-reviewed