Publication:

Agriculture related traumatic hand injuries and reconstructive interventions: an observational study at a tertiary care centre

Background India contributes 10% (225 million) to global agricultural workforce, where hand injuries are frequent and major health related problem and economically significant issues. Farming has fatality rate over five times higher than other sectors. Risk factors include poor ergonomics, lack of safety awareness, and environmental hazards. Aim was to study agriculture related traumatic hand injuries and reconstructive intervention, and to educate surgeon on importance of sophisticated surgical care and aggressive physiotherapy in rehabilitating patients to early hand function.

Methods This prospective observational study of 3 years conducted at KVV hospital, Karad. Structured proforma was completed for 386 patients presenting with agriculture-related hand and wrist injuries distal to wrist. Data on demographics, injury type, hand dominance and seasonal trends were studied.

Results Males were more frequently impacted than females belonged to age group of 31 to 45 with right-handed dominance along with injury caused by hand tools (63.47%) and sugarcane machine (48.70%), most frequently occurred in October month with majority of lacerated wounds (41%) correlating with peak harvesting season. Common causes include entanglement in machinery and traditional tools, leading to amputations and fractures.

Conclusions Farm equipment causing injury is major health issue. It needs educating farmers, prohibiting children from entering areas with agricultural machinery, disseminating information about agricultural accidents and how to prevent them, and modifying working hours of farming staff. This study focuses on type and severity of hand injuries in agriculture and emphasizes need for systematic assessment to guide effective treatment and prevention.