Publication:

Angry young man syndrome: anger based dominant hand injuries

Background The incidence of self-inflicted anger related upper extremity injuries due to punching glass, involving dominant hand has increased in recent years even in our rural population of less than 1.5 million in District of Kolar, Karnataka, India. Although hospital stay is short, these patients require long term follow up, physiotherapy and occupational rehabilitation.

Methods This study is a case series involving a a retrospective analysis from June 1, 2015, to July 31, 2017.  Our study involved only glass cut injury following an angry intention.

Results This study included 9 eligible patients who were all young male aged between 18 to 28 years (median age: 23.4 years) who had triggering factor before punching the glass pane. All patients had tendon injuries, flexors (n=4), extensor (n=3), both (n=2), muscle injuries (n=1), median nerve (n=2), radial artery (n=3). All injuries required operative intervention. Mean hospital stay was 5.2 days. Mean rehabilitation period was 5.2 months.

Conclusions These types of injuries can be prevented by regular counseling for stress/anger management as a part of rehabilitation to prevent further recurrences.