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Introduction: Tibia and fibula shafts fractures are common but unanticipated trauma in all age groups resulting in painful and prolonged recovery. Open fractures of tibia and fibula shafts pose a significant challenging pathology for orthopedic surgeons to manage due to the combined soft tissue damage, bone loss and potential vascular compromise. These fractures require extensive team-work and expertise between several surgical specialties and the advice of non-surgical specialties to ensure good clinical outcomes. Open bifocal fractures of tibia and fibula have been linked with the advancement in transportation and infrastructure sector around the world, which led to increase in motor vehicle accidents.
Objectives: This study aimed at exposing the current actual prevalence of these fractures, demographic characteristics of patients, causes of these fractures and patterns of injuries. This study will also serve to provide an overview of the burden of fractures of tibia and fibula using current data.
Methods: A Hospital based Cross- Sectional study was conducted at KCMC orthopaedic department for patients admitted from January 2014 to December 2015. A total of 325 patients were included in this study. Data was collected through data collection forms designed on the specific objectives, data was collected from registered files of patients who were admitted at KCMC Orthopaedic department from January 2014 to December 20015.
Results: The study included 325 patients who were admitted at KCMC Orthopaedic department from January 2014 to December 2015. Males were 202 (62.2%). The prevalence was 29.5% which is equivalent to 96 patients out of 325. Out of 96 patients with open fractures of tibia and fibula 72 (75%) were males and 24 (25%) were females. 28.1% of patients falls in the age group of 31-40 years, 25% above 50 years, 18.8% in the age range of 20 to 30 years, 15.6% falls in the age range of 41 to 50 years and 12.5% were below 20 years. 58.3% were caused by motorcycle accidents, 20.8% were caused by motorcar accidents, 17.7% were caused by fall, 2.1% assault and 1% were caused by gunshots.
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Conclusion: The prevalence of open fractures of tibia and fibula is still high and continued to rise in the past few years. The majority of these fractures are caused by road traffic accidents especially motorcycle accidents. The most affected group is the youth who are energetic reproductive people in the country hence contribute to reduction in man power and poor economy development. It also increases burden to the families of victims as well as those who are dependent on the victim. |
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