Journal article
The Rurality of Upper Extremity Firearm Injuries
The Iowa orthopaedic journal, Vol.41(1), pp.171-176
2021
PMCID: PMC8259192
PMID: 34552421
Appears in Diamond Open Access
Abstract
To highlight the unique spectrum of hand and upper extremity firearm injuries seen at a rural, Midwestern level 1 trauma center and identify modifiable factors that contribute to firearm injuries of the hand and upper extremity.
A retrospective review of upper extremity firearm injuries from a rural, Midwestern level 1 trauma center was collected from January 2002 to December 2019. Data acquired included injury description, demographics, injury mechanism/description/location, firearm used, toxicology, and information regarding hospitalization. Data was analyzed using Chi-squared analysis and Fisher's exact test for categorical data and the Wilcoxon rank sum test for continuous data.
55 patients with upper extremity firearm injuries were identified. Average age was 33.3 ± 13.0 years, 81.8% were males, and zero fatalities were identified. 58% (38) of these injuries were unintentional firearm injuries, followed by assaults at 34.6% (19). Law enforcement-related and self-inflicted injuries contributed minimally. Handguns were the most common type of firearm, used in 43.6% of cases. 7.3% (4) of injuries occurred while hunting, with 21.8% (12) total during November or December, the active deer hunting months. 92.7% (51) of all firearm injuries presented with fracture, among which 92.2% (47) met a Gustilo-Anderson classification score of at least 3A. Alcohol was detected in 20% (11) of the patients, while other drugs of abuse were detected in 36.4% (20).
Our data suggests that upper extremity firearm injuries in a rural population are unique from urban injuries in that they are predominately unintentional, isolated, and non-fatal. We identify a distinct rural cohort that may benefit from better directed interventions to prevent firearm injuries and ultimately guide firearm education and public policy.
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Details
- Title: Subtitle
- The Rurality of Upper Extremity Firearm Injuries
- Creators
- Matthew D McIlrath - University of IowaIgnacio G Fleury - Department of Orthopedics, University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USAQiang An - University of IowaJoseph A Buckwalter - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- The Iowa orthopaedic journal, Vol.41(1), pp.171-176
- PMID
- 34552421
- PMCID
- PMC8259192
- NLM abbreviation
- Iowa Orthop J
- ISSN
- 1541-5457
- eISSN
- 1555-1377
- Publisher
- Dept. of Orthopaedics, The University of Iowa; United States
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 2021
- Academic Unit
- Orthopedics and Rehabilitation; Injury Prevention Research Center
- Record Identifier
- 9984304704102771
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