title: A regional audit of hand and wrist injuries. A study of 4873 injuries.
abstract: This study reports the characteristics, causes and disposal of isolated injuries to the hand and wrist presenting to six accident and emergency departments over a period of 4 months. The rate of isolated injury to the hand or wrist was 6.6%. The male: female ratio was 2.2: 1, with the mean age for injury being 26.4 years in men and 29.2 years in women. The modal age group for injury was 21-25 years in men and 11-15 years in women. The right and left hand were injured almost equally. The dominant hand was more commonly injured although this was influenced by the cause of injury: 16.3% were caused by a fall; 15% by sport; and 7% were work/machinery related. 13.3% were referred to specialities for further treatment.
authors.affiliation: Northern Ireland Plastic and Maxillo-facial Unit, the Ulster Hospital, Dundonald, Belfast, UK.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Riaz
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mozzam
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Brennen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006230:Hand Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008485:Medical Audit; D008875:Middle Aged; D009660:Northern Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014954:Wrist Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery