Disposition Of Fractures And Dislocations Among Road Accident Victims In Rivers And Bayelsa States Of Nigeria From 1992-2005

Abstract

Background: The recent increase in vehicles and motorbike transport resulting in an increase in number and varieties of accidents on our roads necessitated this study.Objectives: 1. To determine the bones and joints fractured and dislocated as a result of road traffic accidents (RTAs). 2. To determine the sex and age range mostly involve in RTAs.Method: Relevant records/data obtained from orthopedic units of the University of Port Harcourt (UCTH) in River State and the Federal Medical center (FMC) in Bayelsa State in Nigeria from 1992-2005. Data taken from the victims file includes the sex, age, nature of the accident joint dislocated and bones fractured excluding any description of the clinical management received by the patients.Results: A total of 1078 RTA cases were recorded. There were 72.4% male and 26.7% female accident victims. Bones and joints of the lower extremity were the mostly affected with hip joint 32.3% and tibia/ fibula 21.2%. Majority of the victims were between 20-40 years (54.7%).Conclusion: The males were the most prone to road traffic accident especially between the ages of 20-40 years.