ABSTRACT
The objective of this study was to identify the causes leading to impairments of hand. Descriptive case series. This study was conducted at Rehabilitation Medicine department of Combined Military Hospital, Abbottabad from July 2010 to June 2011. 100 patients diagnosed to be having hand impairments were sampled by convenience sampling and through a face-to-face interview. Data was collected and analyzed using SPSS 10. Frequencies and descriptive statistics were calculated for the various variables. 84% [n=84] of the participants were males whereas 16% [n=16] were females. Mean age of study participants was 37.36 years [SD +/- 16.18 yrs]. Among these patients 94% [n=94] were right-handers and 6% [n=6] were left-handers. Dominant hand was affected in 51% [n=51] of patients, non-dominant hand was affected in 37% [n=37] of patients while in 12% [n=12] of patients both hands were affected. The most common cause of hand impairment was road traffic accidents at 28% [n=28], followed by falls 16% [n=16] and firearm injuries at 12% [n=12]. Number of genetic causes, sharp injury, blast injury and overuse were 7% [n=7], 6% [n=6], 6% [n=6] and 5% [n=5] respectively. Carpal tunnel syndrome, electric shock, infection, iatrogenic injury and sports injury were 3% [n=3] each. While cubital tunnel syndrome, and occupational injury were found to be 2% [n=2] each and Neuroma was 1% [n=1]. A large number of patients had hand impairments resulting from trauma. At the top of the list of causes of impairment was road traffic accidents followed by falls. Traumatic causes of hand impairment were 75% while non-traumatic causes were 25%