A regional audit of hand and wrist injuries. A study of 4873 injuries.

This study reports the characteristics, causes and disposal of isolated injuries to the hand and wrist presenting to six accident and emergency departments over a period of 4 months. The rate of isolated injury to the hand or wrist was 6.6%. The male: female ratio was 2.2: 1, with the mean age for injury being 26.4 years in men and 29.2 years in women. The modal age group for injury was 21-25 years in men and 11-15 years in women. The right and left hand were injured almost equally. The dominant hand was more commonly injured although this was influenced by the cause of injury: 16.3% were caused by a fall; 15% by sport; and 7% were work/machinery related. 13.3% were referred to specialities for further treatment.