Prevalence of femoral shaft fractures and associated injuries among adults after road traffic accidents in a Saudi Arabian trauma center

Abstract

<b>Objectives:</b> To identify the prevalence of femoral shaft fractures (FSFs) and to study the associated injuries among road traffic accident (RTA) adult victims in a Saudi trauma center. <b>Methods:</b> This was a retrospective chart review of all adult patients (above 16 years of age) who had FSFs and were admitted to King Fahad Hospital in Almadinah Almunawwarah, Saudi Arabia, over a 6-year period. <b>Results:</b> A total of 591 patients were included in the study with a male-to-female ratio of 3.6:1 and an average age of 33.2 ± 15.9 years. The associated head injuries are statistically significant. They are found to be more in male victims(27.5%) compared to female(15.3%). A highly significant percentage of associated tibial and patellar fractures were found among males, and a higher percentage of associated distal femoral fractures were found among female patients. Head injuries were more statistically significant among patients <30 years. Fractures of the neck of femur (6.9%) and tibia (15.5%) were more among patients aged from 30 to <60 years, while distal femoral fractures were more among patients of 60 years and more group (8.2%). <b>Conclusions:</b> The study showed a high prevalence of associated injuries with FSFs among RTA victims. These injuries were variable and could affect any part of the body; careful evaluation of these patients to determine these injuries and to adequately treat them alongside the FSF is important.