The pattern of tissue damage in occupational trauma

Area of Science:

• Orthopaedic Surgery
• Occupational Health
• Traumatology

Background:

• Occupational hand injuries represent a significant cause of morbidity.
• Understanding injury patterns is crucial for effective prevention and treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the epidemiological characteristics and tissue damage patterns in occupational hand injuries.
• To identify the most frequently injured anatomical structures and digits in the hand.

Main Methods:

• Prospective study of 190 patients undergoing surgery for occupational hand injuries.
• Data collected included fracture types, dislocations, amputations, tendon injuries, and skin loss.
• Analysis focused on affected bones, tendons, amputation levels, and digit involvement.

Main Results:

• Compound fractures constituted 42.1% of injuries, with the distal phalanx being involved in 56.4%.
• Tendon injuries affected 66.6% of patients, predominantly flexor tendons.
• The index finger showed the highest incidence of compound fractures (30.6%), amputations (41.1%), and tissue loss (28.5%).

Conclusions:

• Compound fractures and digital amputations are primary outcomes of occupational hand trauma.
• The distal phalanx is a common site for fractures, and finger tip amputations are most frequent.
• The index finger is the most susceptible digit, with flexor tendons being more commonly injured than extensor tendons.