Tibial Plateau Fracture After Attack by an Escaped Goat

Area of Science:

• Traumatology
• Veterinary Medicine
• Psychology

Background:

• Human-animal interactions, particularly with domestic animals like goats, can pose risks.
• Goats may exhibit aggressive behavior when feeling threatened, potentially leading to physical injury.

Observation:

• A 55-year-old man was attacked by an escaped domestic goat during a walk.
• The goat used its horns to push the man down and then struck him with its head.
• The man sustained a Schatzker VI bicondylar tibial plateau fracture, requiring surgical fixation.

Findings:

• The patient experienced acute stress disorder following the traumatic animal attack.
• Early intervention with psychological first aid and screening for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms was initiated.
• After one year, the patient achieved full functional recovery and showed no signs of PTSD.

Implications:

• Animal attacks, even by domestic animals, can cause significant physical and psychological trauma.
• Psychological first aid and timely PTSD screening are crucial for managing acute stress reactions after traumatic events.
• With appropriate care, individuals can recover fully from severe physical injuries and psychological distress resulting from animal encounters.