Abstract
Background
Farming is a major industry in the West of Ireland. This prospective study examined the age profile, nature and treatment of orthopaedic injuries occurring in agricultural surroundings presenting at the Orthopaedic Unit of Merlin Park Hospital, Galway.
Methods
The cohort consisted of 70 direct or indirect farm employees presenting with orthopaedic injuries caused in an accident occurring on a farm.
Results
There were significantly (P < 0.01) more male than female farmers (73 vs. 27%) with a mean age of 63 years (ranging from 13 to 87 years). Average number of out-patient visits related to the injury was 3.6. Injuries involving livestock resulted in the majority of accidents (P < 0.05) with a significant rise in the number of visits with increasing age (P < 0.01) with older patients having more severe injuries. Soft tissue injuries and fractures were commonly encountered. Complex fractures were the slowest injury to heal requiring eight subsequent out-patient visits.
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Appendix: case studies
Appendix: case studies
Pre-operative (a, b) and post-treatment (c) X-ray views of an intra-articular fracture of the dominant right middle finger of a 49-year-old cattle farmer following a crush injury when an animal forced his hand against a gate
Pre-operative (a) and post-treatment (b) X-ray views of a left intra-capsular hip fracture in an 85-year-old hill sheep farmer. He had a fall whilst herding sheep on a steep hill. He underwent a hemiarthroplasty. Six weeks later he re-presented with an ipsilateral intra-articular colles fracture requiring manipulation and wiring under anaesthetic. He has retired from farming at this stage and went into nursing home care
Pre-operative (a, b) and post-treatment (c) X-ray views of a midshaft fibular fracture and associated medial malleolar fracture in a 63-year-old farmer who tripped on rough ground in his yard whilst transferring animals to sheds. He was unable to work for 4 months following the incident
Pre-operative (a) and post-treatment (b) X-ray views of a proximal humeral fracture requiring surgical fixation in a 60-year-old farm employee who fell from a ladder whilst carrying out general maintenance work. He was unable to work for 16 weeks following this injury
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Byrne, F.J., Waters, P.S., Waters, S.M. et al. Demographics, nature and treatment of orthopaedic trauma injuries occurring in an agricultural context in the West of Ireland. Ir J Med Sci 180, 185–189 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-010-0582-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-010-0582-3