 |
|
Low-Velocity Gunshot Wounds of the Hand
Jan Duncan, MD;
Donald B. Kettelkamp, MD
AMA Arch Surg. 1974;109(3):395-397.
Abstract
We reviewed 32 low-velocity gunshot wounds of the hand to determine the residual impairment of the finger and hand. Spontaneous return of function occurred in nine of ten nerve injuries with partial permanent loss in one. The severity of loss of finger function was primarily related to the location of fractures. Fractures involving the proximal interphalangeal joint produced the greatest impairment, followed by fractures of the proximal phalanx and then the metacarpals. Unstable fractures resulted in more restriction of motion than stable fractures. Internal fixation of unstable fractures may permit earlier motion and a better result. All patients were able to carry out daily, self-care activities in spite of occasionally severe restriction of motion in a single finger.
Author Affiliations
From the University of Arkansas Medical Center, Little Rock, Ark (Dr. Duncan) and the Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis (Dr. Kettelkamp).
Footnotes
Accepted for publication March 19, 1974.
Reprint requests to Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, 1100 W Washington St, Indianapolis, IN 46202 (Dr. Kettelkamp).
 CiteULike  Connotea  Del.icio.us  Digg  Reddit  Technorati  Twitter
What's this?
THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES
Air Gun Pellet Injuries of the Hand
AL-QATTAN
J Hand Surg Eur Vol 2006;31:178-181.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
Comparison of Intravenous and Oral Antibiotic Therapy in the Treatment of Fractures Caused by Low-Velocity Gunshots. A Prospective, Randomized Study of Infection Rates
KNAPP et al.
JBJS 1996;78:1167-71.
ABSTRACT
| FULL TEXT
|
