Residual disability after industrial hand injuries. A review of 218 patients.

The case records of 218 patients with residual hand disability were reviewed. Sixty-six per cent had significant stiffness of the digital joints (metacarpophalangeal and proximal interphalangeal); 25% had amputation of part or whole of the digit; 33% of these had troublesome neuromata; 7% had residual numbness; 25% had more than one operation on their injured hand. The average age of the patients was 44 years. The average time off work was 10 weeks. The average experience in the job before injury was six years.