Magnitude, Pattern and Mechanism of Injury in Patients with Hand Fracture Among Acute Hand Injury Patients Visiting Alert Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Date
2025-11-03
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Background:
Hand fracture is one of the most common injuries globally. It represents a significant public health concern due to its higher incidence with predilection to young working group who are mostly to bread winners of the family and associated economic burden from loss of working days and treatment cost. It occurs as result of road traffic accidents, machine injuries, bullet, falling down accident and direct blow injuries.
Objective:
The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of hand fracture, mechanism of injury, timing, pattern of fracture with in anatomic locations and fracture characteristics.
Methodology:
A cross-sectional retrospective chart review was conducted on charts of patients with hand fracture visiting Trauma unit, ALERT comprehensive specialized Hospital between February 1, 2024 and January 31, 2025 GC. Data collected from medical records and radiology reports using standardized questionnaire’s’. After data cleaning and coding, data were entered into SPSS version 23. Findings were summarized with descriptive statics and significance of distribution with in the variable tested with Pearson chi-square of Goodness of fit.
Results:
Among 796 acute hand injury patients, 506 63.6%) had hand fracture. It occurred predominantly in young adults (17-40 years (73.4%)) and males (84.1%). Most fractures involved right right-hand (54.1%) and dominant hand (79.7%). Digital bones were the most commonly fractured bone of the hand (79.7%). Distal phalanx was the most common phalangeal fracture in all digits. Complete (94.7 %,) and open (76.8 %,) fractures are commonest fracture characteristics. Pearson chi-square of Goodness of fit test was done for fracture the pattern of distribution with in Anatomies and fracture characteristics, the findings were significant. Majority of fractures occurred in the afternoon after noon (54.1%) and on weekdays (83.5 %,). There was no significant seasonal variation though there is slight increment in winter and autumn. Machine-related (53.1%) and crush injuries (24.2%) were the leading mechanisms.
Conclusion:
Hand fractures are most commonly found in patients with acute hand injury. It affects most commonly right and dominant hand. Machine injuries contribute to majority of majority of hand fractures, highlighting the need for preventive strategies in industries and timely management t reduce morbidity and preserve function.
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Keywords
Magnitude, Mechanism of Injury, Alert Comprehensive Specialized Hospital