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Hand function following accidental automatic animal syringe injector injuries
Guy Rubin1,2, Guy Feldman3, Shtawe Shtawe3
1Orthopedic Department, Emek Medical Center, Afula, Israel. guytalr@bezeqint.net.
Scientific Reports
|December 6, 2022
Summary
Accidental self-injection injuries in farm workers can cause hand issues. Most patients recovered good hand function, though some experienced reduced sensation or joint mobility, particularly after surgery.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Hand Surgery
- Veterinary Medicine
Background:
- Accidental self-injection is common in veterinary and farm workers using automatic syringes.
- While often mild, these injuries can lead to significant morbidity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate hand function following inadvertent vaccine injection (poultry influenza or cholera) in patients.
- To assess outcomes including sensation, range of motion, and disability.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective data collection from admission to last follow-up.
- Functional and physical hand assessments by orthopedic residents or hand surgeons.
- Included monofilament sensation testing, goniometry for joint range of motion, and Quick DASH questionnaire.
Main Results:
- 21 male patients (mean age 33.4 years) with non-dominant hand injuries; 17 had finger injuries (11 thumb).
- Seven patients required surgical drainage; 8/8 patients attending follow-up had low Quick DASH scores.
- Most patients returned to work; range of motion impairment was most notable at the joint nearest the injection site, especially post-surgery.
Conclusions:
- Most patients with accidental self-injection injuries recover good hand function.
- Surgical intervention for drainage may lead to reduced joint range of motion.
- While sensation is generally preserved, careful follow-up is important for these occupational injuries.
