Trends and Patterns of Long Bone Fractures in Relation to The Road Traffic Accidents, Assaults, and Falls Among Patients Admitted to Emergency Treatment Unit in Teaching Hospital Karapitiya

Introduction: Long bone fractures pose an increasing challenge to the health care system and the financial status worldwide.
Objectives: To study long bone fracture (LBF) types, fracture patterns, prevalence, and associated factors in relation to road traffic accidents (RTA), assaults, and falls.
Methodology: The study was a descriptive cross-sectional, prospective study in patients aged 18- 60 years, over one-year period.
Results: The study group consisted of a total number of 300 patients. Most 78%(n=233) of the patients were males. The majority 26 %(n=77)were between 18 – 24 years of age. Most of the LBF patients 79%(n=236) were due to RTA. Male predominance was noted. The incidents of assaults (42) revealed, fractures were due to blunt forced weapons in 93%(n=39) and the majority 77%(n=17) of LBF occurred at 6-8 meters of height falls. In RTA the commonest victims of LBF 56% (n=132) were riders followed by drivers 31%(n=73). The tibia was the most fractured bone in riders 33%(n=113). In this study, 426 long bone fractures were revealed. Tibia was the most fractured bone 45%(n=191). Simple fractures were the commonest 98% (n= 417). Oblique fractures were the commonest 56%(n=235). There were (94%(n=399) of closed fractures. Lower limb bones are the most vulnerable bones in riders. In assaults and falls upper limb fractures could be seen frequently.
Conclusion: Young adult males are more vulnerable in long bone injuries especially following RTA.