Upper Extremity Trauma in Costa Rica - Evaluating Epidemiology and Identifying Opportunities.

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Trauma Care
• Public Health

Background:

• Musculoskeletal injuries from traffic accidents are a major health concern in Costa Rica.
• Understanding the epidemiology and challenges of upper extremity (UE) trauma is crucial for improving patient outcomes.
• Fellowship-trained surgeons in hand and UE specialize in treating these injuries.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the epidemiology, complications, and care challenges of UE trauma in Costa Rica.
• To identify specific needs for capacity building among surgeons treating UE trauma.
• To inform future research and clinical practice improvements.

Main Methods:

• A survey was distributed to all nine fellowship-trained hand and UE surgeons in Costa Rica.
• The survey assessed the burden, complications, practice patterns, and challenges in UE trauma care.
• Data were analyzed descriptively, with open-ended responses undergoing content analysis.

Main Results:

• All nine surgeons completed the survey, reporting distal radius fractures, hand/finger fractures, and tendon injuries as most common.
• Stiffness and infection were the most frequent complications.
• Significant barriers to care include 29% of patients lacking necessary therapy and 13% missing follow-up due to cost, distance, and transportation.

Conclusions:

• The burden of UE trauma in Costa Rica is substantial.
• Identifying common conditions and challenges enables tailored capacity building and research efforts.
• These findings support community-driven improvements in care and the development of outcome measurement systems.