Opinion: Living with bullet fragments in the body can have long-term medical consequences
Living with retained bullet fragments can lead to significant long-term health issues for survivors of gun violence. These fragments may cause chronic pain, mobility issues, and even lead poisoning. Awareness of the potential medical and psychological consequences is crucial for both patients and healthcare providers.
- ▪Approximately 115,000 firearm injuries occur annually in the United States.
- ▪About 75% of survivors of firearm injuries live with retained bullet fragments.
- ▪Retained bullet fragments can lead to chronic pain, mobility issues, and organ damage.
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OpinionFirst Opinion Living with bullet fragments in the body can have long-term medical consequences Physicians and patients need to be aware of the potential for medical and psychological problems Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article An X-ray image shows a bullet fragment lodged in the hand of a gunshot victim.COURTNEY BONNEAU/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images By Adeiyewunmi (Ade) OsinubiMay 21, 2026 Osinubi, M.D., is an emergency medicine resident physician. Oronde McClain was only 10 when he was shot in the head while caught in the gunfire of a drive-by shooting. He had to learn how to walk and talk again after an eight-week coma and the removal of one-third of his brain.
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