Pattern of Orthopaedic injuries among patients attending the emergency Department in a medical college hospital

Introduction: This study was aimed at analyzing the pattern of Orthopaedic injuries among patients attending the Emergency department. Retrospective study was conducted in the Department of Orthopaedics, Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences. Methods: The record analysis of injured patients seen at the emergency department over a 12 months period from September 2015 to August 2016 was done. The data was analyzed with special reference to the pattern of Orthopaedic injuries. Results: During the 12 months study period, 1753 injured patients were seen in the emergency department. Out of these the maximum (n=1232, 70.27 percent) were in the age group of 11-45 years. There were 1286 males (73.35 percent) and 467 (26.64 percent) females patients. Road traffic accident was the most common cause of injuries being responsible for 61.03 percent (n=1070) of patient injuries. Other causes were fall from height in 302 cases (17.22%), fall from bed in 28 cases (1.59%) fall from stairs in 45 cases (2.56%), fall on ground in 72 cases (4.10%), occupational injuries in 65 cases (3.70%), assault in 161 cases (9.18%) and sports related in 10 cases (0.57%). Conclusion: Fractures were the most common pattern of Orthopaedic injuries, frequently associated with head injuries. Research in to appropriate strategies for prevention of injuries, especially RTA is required in tertiary care hospitals.