Long-term disability following high-voltage electric hand injuries

Fifty-eight patients who sustained high-voltage electric hand injuries over a ten-year period were reviewed to determine the incidence of long-term disability. Patients were divided into two groups, depending on whether or not they had sustained a current or noncurrent injury. Follow-up ranged between three months and nine years, with an average of 29.5 months. In Group A' (current group), 34 patients had 52 hand injuries. In this group, 21 patients required operative intervention to relieve vascular or neurologic compression. Thirty percent of explored limbs were subsequently amputated. Of the remaining extremities, 42% had normal function while 58% had diminished or greatly diminished function. There were 24 patients in Group B (noncurrent group) with 35 hand injuries. Function was diminished in 23%, greatly diminished in 14%, and absent in 3% of cases. The amputation rate and the residual functional deficit in Group A concurs with those of previously reported series. Although there is a significant inevitable morbidity after noncurrent injuries, many patients may benefit from nerve/muscle conduction studies and physical therapy.