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Civilian gunshot violence is common and concentrated in specific geographic regions of the world, consuming a significant proportion of trauma practice in those particular regions. Unfortunately, the state of clinical evidence is scarce, and it is fair to emphasize that the field is scientifically under-represented. In the current review, the authors point out key aspects and principles requiring attention when treating low energy gunshot wounds to the lower extremity. These treatment principles include the following management concepts: 1) Conservative management of soft tissue injuries if the projectile causes no discomfort. 2) Conservative management of non-complete fractures of the tibia or femoral shaft. 3) Prophylactic fixation of non-complete peri-trochanteric fractures. 4) Fixation of allcomplete fractures. 5) Removal of all intra-articular projectiles. 6) Treating as septic arthritis if the missile passes through large bowel (not small bowel) prior to penetrating a joint capsule. The proposed concepts are based on available evidence from the literature and expert opinion. The authors also highlight challenges with conducting clinical studies in the field, given the high rate of 'loss to follow-up' and compliance issues in this particular group of patients.

Introduction: Fragility fractures of the hip (FFH) constitute the most serious complication of osteoporosis carrying a mortality rate of up to 20 – 30% in the first year after injury and are associated with post injury decay in patient's level of activity in more than 50% of the cases. It is also a predictor of future osteoporosis related fractures. Surgical fixation of the hip fracture within 48 of admission, multimodal pain management, deep vein thrombo-prophylaxis, early physical therapy, appropriate assessment and management of osteoporosis and frailty in a multidisciplinary approach are the standard of care for FFH to keep the mortality and morbidity rate as low as possible and prevent future fragility fractures. Aim: To assess the standard of care of FFH at our institution and determine areas of care which need more attention and improvement. Methods: Retrospective review of clinical and radiographic records of all patients admitted at our level 1 trauma unit for fragility fracture of the hip from 1st January 2014 to 31st December 2014. The waiting time from admission to surgical fixation of the hip fracture, pain control and thrombo-prophylaxis strategies, the rate of geriatric referrals and the extent of osteoporosis management were assessed. Results: We admitted 113 fragility fractures of the hip from 1st January to 31st December 2014. Ninety- eight clinical records and 98 pelvis radiographs were included in the study. The other 15 clinical records were incomplete and were therefore excluded. The average waiting time from admission to surgery was 49 hours (range 9 -120). Low dose morphine, paracetamol and tramadol were the only perioperative pain control medication used for all patients. All patients had low molecular weight heparin and compression stockings prescribed for thrombo-prophylaxis. Only 2 (2, 04%) of patients had some osteoporosis investigations ordered. There were no geriatric referrals made and no formal osteoporosis management in all reviewed records. Conclusion: While the waiting time from admission to surgery was largely within the recommended time frame, there were no signs of a multidisciplinary approach to the management of fragility fractures of the hip at our institution leaving osteoporosis and frailty largely untreated.