Work-related traumatic finger and thumb amputations: 20-year trends

Traumatic finger/thumb amputations are common and preventable occupational injuries that impose significant physical, psychological, and financial burdens.

This study investigated 20-year trends in the incidence of work-related digit amputations (partial/complete) in Victoria, Australia, from 2003/2004 to 2022/2023, and analysed patient profiles and hospital burden during 2013/2014 to 2022/2023.

Data were obtained from the Victorian Admitted Episodes Dataset for hospital admissions related to work-related digit amputations (2003/2004-2022/2023). Poisson regression was used to assess trends over time, while descriptive analyses were conducted to compare patient characteristics and hospital burden.

Age-standardized incidence of work-related digit amputations in Victoria decreased significantly from 12.54 hospital admissions per 100 000 employed persons in 2005/2006 to 4.71 per 100 000 in 2022/2023; the modelled annual reduction was 4.655% (95% CI = -5.23%, -3.6%, P < 0.0001). A total of 2144 finger/thumb amputation-related admissions were recorded between 2013/2014 and 2022/2023, occupying 5055 bed days. Rates were similar by age band. Male rates were 10 times higher than female rates, accounting for 91% of cases. Most amputations occurred in metropolitan areas (70%), but rates/head of population were higher in regional/rural areas. Mechanical forces caused 95% of amputations, with machinery contact, being caught in objects, and powered saws the major contributors.

Work-related digit amputations have significantly declined over 20 years, with male workers and those in regional/rural areas disproportionately affected. Despite the decline over time, work-related digit amputations remain common and targeted prevention strategies focusing on high-risk groups and machinery safety are needed to further reduce the incidence and burden.