title: Orthopedic injuries following the East azerbaijan earthquake.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Evaluating demographic characteristics, distribution and types of orthopedic injuries following major earthquakes may be helpful in future planning for disasters.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to analyze data from trauma patients with extremity injury resulting from the earthquakes of East Azerbaijan, Iran.
  
  
  METHODS
  Medical records of 686 patients admitted to Shohada hospital, Trauma Center of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences were reviewed. There were 200 patients with extremity injury assessed. Demographic characteristics and patterns of injuries in these patients were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In this study, there were 105 females (52.5%) and 95 males (47.5%), out of which, 6 (3%) patients with associated severe head injuries died. The most common sites of injury were lower extremities (81 patients, 41.5% of total victims) while 32 patients (16%) suffered from both upper and lower extremity injuries. Open Fractures were seen in lower extremities of 26 (13%) patients. Compartment syndrome was observed in 3 (1.5%) patients with lower limb fractures. Also, 42 (21%) patients living in Tabriz were injured while they were running away (falling down the stairs and jumping out of windows).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Extremity injuries especially open fractures of lower limbs account for the majority of hospitalized victims. Compartment syndrome is one of the main problems that should be addressed. Our study demonstrates that people still need more education regarding earthquakes and the government should direct more attention to this issue.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery, Shohada Educational Hospital, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Asghar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Elmi
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery, Shohada Educational Hospital, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Jafar
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ganjpour Sales
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery, Shohada Educational Hospital, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tabrizi
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery, Shohada Educational Hospital, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Jafar
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Soleimanpour
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery, Shohada Educational Hospital, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad Ali
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Mohseni
keywords: Cumulative Trauma Disorders; Earthquakes; Mass Casualty