Pattern of rubber bullet injuries in the lower limbs: A report from Kashmir.
OBJECTIVE
Rubber bullets are considered a non-lethal method of crowd control and are being used over the world. However the literature regarding the pattern and management of these injuries is scarce for the forensic pathologist as well as for the traumatologist. The objective of this report was to add our experience to the existing literature.


METHODS
From June 2008 to August 2010 the Government Hospital for Bone and Joint Surgery Barzulla and the Department of Orthopaedics, SKIMS Medical College/Hospital Bemina Srinagar received 28 patients for management of their orthopaedic injuries caused by rubber bullets. We documented all injuries and also recorded the management issues and complications that we encountered.


RESULTS
All patients weremales with an age range of 11e32 years and were civilians who had been hit by rubber bullets fired by the police and the paramilitary forces. Among them, 19 patients had injuries of the lower limbs and 9 patients had injuries of the upper limbs. All patients were received within 6 h of being shot.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that these weapons are capable of causing significant injuries including fractures and it is important for the surgeon to be well versed with the management of such injuries especially in areas of unrest. The report is also supportive of the opinion that these weapons are lethal and should hence be reclassified.
Department of Orthopaedics, SKIMS Medical College/Hospital Bemina, Srinagar 190001, Kashmir, India.
Shabir Ahmed
SA
Dhar
Tahir-Ahmed
TA
Dar
Sharief-Ahmed
SA
Wani
Saheel
S
Maajid
Jawed Ahmed
JA
Bhat
Naseer Ahmed
NA
Mir
Imtiyaz Hussain
IH
Dar
Shahid
S
Hussain
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000293:injuries*; D008297:Male; D012408:Rubber; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000601:surgery*
D012408:Rubber