Citation

Trasolini N, Kang H, Carney J, Rounds AD., Murrietta A, Marecek GS. J. Am. Acad. Orthop. Surg. 2019; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Affiliation

From the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons)

DOI

10.5435/JAAOS-D-18-00618

PMID

30985479

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: We sought to characterize the prevalence of methamphetamine (MA) abuse and associated orthopaedic injury patterns at our level 1 trauma center.

METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of all orthopaedic consults for the year 2016. Patients were classified as MA users based on urine toxicology results and social history.

RESULTS: The prevalence of MA use was 10.0%. MA users were more likely to present with hand lacerations and other infections (P < 0.05 for all). Regarding the mechanism of injury, MA users were more likely to be involved in automobile versus pedestrian, automobile versus bicycle, ballistic, knife, closed fist, other assault/altercation, and animal bite injuries (P < 0.05 for all).

DISCUSSION: MA use is prevalent at our level 1 trauma center. The prevalence and injury patterns of MA abuse warrant deeper study into the effects of this drug on orthopaedic outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Language: en