Profile of unilateral acute hand injuries seen at a referral hospital in Kenya

Abstract

This study was designed to assess the pattern and outcome of unilateral acute hand injuries managed at the Kenyatta National Hospital. A prospective analysis of consecutive patients who had hand injuries and followed up at the KNH between May 2006 and September 30th, 2006 was performed. Data on Causes, pattern, complications and outcome was collected using a questionnaire administered to the patients who met the inclusion criteria at the A&E department and later followed up for outcome after an average of a 3-month period in the orthopaedic outpatient clinic. The data collected was entered and analysed using SPSS 11.5. A total of 99 patients with hand injuries were recruited with 75 being evaluated for outcome. The mean age was 28.2 years with the modal age group being 21-30 year group. More males were injured than females. The left hand was affected more than the right hand (difference not statistically significant). Hand use preference had no influence on likelihood of injury. Work-related/ occupational and assaults were the leading causes of hand injury. The majority of injuries included lacerations, fractures and tendon injuries. The distal phalanges of the ring and long fingers were commonest site of injury on the digits. Skeletal pain and deformity were the commonest complications followed by cold sensitivity. A significant group of patients were assessed to have a poor outcome.