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Published on: May 18, 2015
Musculoskeletal trauma: the baseball bat
D D Bryant1, R Greenfield, E Martin
1Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, District of Columbia General Hospital, Washington.
Journal of the National Medical Association
|November 1, 1992
Summary
Baseball bat assaults frequently cause severe fractures and dislocations, particularly to the ulna and hand. Prompt management of these severe musculoskeletal injuries is crucial.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Trauma Surgery
- Forensic Medicine
Background:
- Assaults with baseball bats can cause significant musculoskeletal trauma.
- Understanding injury patterns is vital for effective treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the patterns and outcomes of fractures and dislocations resulting from baseball bat assaults.
- To highlight the severity of bone and soft tissue damage in these injuries.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 116 patients treated for baseball bat-related injuries between July 1987 and December 1990.
- Data collected included injury site, fracture displacement, and treatment modalities.
Main Results:
- 146 fractures and 7 dislocations were documented.
- The ulna was the most common site (61 fractures), followed by the hand (27 injuries) and radius (14 injuries).
- 42 fractures were displaced, requiring surgical intervention (open reduction and internal fixation).
- 29 fractures were open, necessitating irrigation, debridement, antibiotics, and stabilization.
Conclusions:
- Baseball bat assaults lead to severe, often open and displaced, fractures.
- Effective management requires recognizing the extent of bone and soft tissue damage.
- Standard treatment protocols for open fractures are essential.
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