[Posttraumatic hand impairment].

1287 patients were treated due to hand injuries from 1987 to 2001 in the 2nd Department of Surgery in Cracow. Long-term follow-up was performed in 1071 patients (83.22%). Objective assessment of function was evaluated on the basis of Swansons examination protocol. Long-term follow-up examinations of 626 patients (58.45%) demonstrates different level of persistent hand disability. The level of hand impairment ranged between 1-100% with the average of 13.6%. This study demonstrates a statistically significant correlation (p < 0.001) between severity of injuries, place of accident, mechanism of injuries and severity of hand impairment. The most severe injuries and disability were caused by mechanical equipment and were incurred by farmers and workers in the place of employment. The level of hand impairment were determined on the basis of the patient's ability to return to previous work. This study demonstrated a statistically significant association (p < 0.001) between the increasing posttraumatic hand impairment and decreasing probability of returning to pre-injury profession. Concluding, severe hand injuries should be treated in the specialist hand surgery centers. Such proceedings allow to minimize the extend of the permanent post-injury disability and increase of better results of the treatment.