ACCIDENTALLY EMBEDDED FOREIGN-BODIES IN THE EXTREMITIES

Objectives: To assess the problem of injuries to the limbs from accide ntally embedded foreign bodies. Design: Prospective study of consecuti ve patients with accidentally embedded foreign bodies in extremities o ver a one year period. Setting: Orthopedics and Accident and Emergency Departments of Al Ain Hospital, United Arab Emirates. Subjects: One h undred and three patients with the above injuries referred from Accide nt and Emergency Department to the Orthopedic Department during a peri od of one year. Results: Thirty-five percent of the foreign bodies wer e situated in the foot and 27% in the hand. Sixty-eight percent were d ue to sharp household objects such as pins and needles. One third of a ll injuries involved children under the age of 14 years. Date palm tho rns accounted for a fifth. Conclusion: The great majority of these inj uries are avoidable. Simple preventive measures will drastically reduc e the numbers in our environment in the United Arab Emirates, a rapidl y developing country.