title: The epidemiology of open long bone fractures.
abstract: Open long bone fractures occur with a frequency of 11.5 per 100,000 persons per year. They are more common in males and they have a bimodal age distribution. Open fractures of the tibial diaphysis are the commonest, but open femoral diaphyseal, distal femoral and proximal tibial fractures tend to occur in the most seriously injured patients. Lower limb open fractures are more severe than open fractures of the upper limbs. Not only is the soft tissue damage less in open upper limb fractures, but there are fewer associated musculoskeletal injuries.
authors: Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, UK.
authors: C M
authors: CM
authors: Court-Brown
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Rimmer
authors: U
authors: U
authors: Prakash
authors: M M
authors: MM
authors: McQueen
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005121:Extremities / Q000293:injuries*; D005260:Female; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology; D005543:Forearm Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology; D005597:Fractures, Open / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012606:Scotland / Q000453:epidemiology; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology