Physical abuse as cause of injury in women: information for orthopaedic nurses.

With the frequency and severity of violence against women, it is critically important to empower nurses and physicians with information on physical abuse as a cause of injury in women. The specific aim of this descriptive study was to determine if the cause of injury was from abuse in women presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) with injuries. This research describes the nature and mechanisms of injury by women who reported that their injury was from physical abuse by men. Recognizing domestic violence as a cause of injury and gaining an awareness of the type and mechanism of injury resulting from abuse will help empower orthopaedic nurses to be active in the prevention and treatment of domestic violence against women.