Traumatic Injuries to the Hand From the Use of an Angle Grinder. A Problem in Our Field
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Published:
Apr 18, 2022
Keywords:
Angle grinder, traumatic injuries, hand, epidemiology
Main Article Content
Abstract
Introduction: Hand injuries caused by angle grinders are frequent and generally take place among young adults. In developing countries, the domestic and informal work environments are the most frequent places where this could happen. The present study is aimed at describing associated factors to these types of injuries. Lesions were quantified and classified according to the severity and anatomic region of the hand involved.
Methods: An epidemiologic, retrospective study was performed between 2016 and 2020. The patients’ level of education, previous experience using the machine, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), sex, and age were analyzed. To determine the pattern of the injuries, a clinical-anatomical and a detailed and individualized radiological analysis were performed on each patient. The severity was measured using the “Hand Injury Severity Score” (HISS).
Results: 928 patients were studied (920 men, 8 women, average age of 42 years [range 18-67]). Only 22.4% were wearing PPE at the time of the accident. 776 participants were performing tasks for which the tool was not intended (84.5%). The left hand was the most affected (60%). In 784 patients, the injuries involved their fingers (84.48%); the predominant pattern was the index and middle finger (55%). According to the HISS, 24.1% were minor injuries, 41.3% were moderate, 26% were serious, and 8.6% were severe.
Conclusions: Injuries caused by an angle grinder can be devastating. We believe that an epidemiological update is likely to increase the need to develop preventive methods to decrease its high incidence.
Methods: An epidemiologic, retrospective study was performed between 2016 and 2020. The patients’ level of education, previous experience using the machine, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), sex, and age were analyzed. To determine the pattern of the injuries, a clinical-anatomical and a detailed and individualized radiological analysis were performed on each patient. The severity was measured using the “Hand Injury Severity Score” (HISS).
Results: 928 patients were studied (920 men, 8 women, average age of 42 years [range 18-67]). Only 22.4% were wearing PPE at the time of the accident. 776 participants were performing tasks for which the tool was not intended (84.5%). The left hand was the most affected (60%). In 784 patients, the injuries involved their fingers (84.48%); the predominant pattern was the index and middle finger (55%). According to the HISS, 24.1% were minor injuries, 41.3% were moderate, 26% were serious, and 8.6% were severe.
Conclusions: Injuries caused by an angle grinder can be devastating. We believe that an epidemiological update is likely to increase the need to develop preventive methods to decrease its high incidence.
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How to Cite
Taboadela, F. J., Mantella Gorosito, D., Corti, A., Francese, M., Borre, F., Maquieira, M., Presas, J., Menéndez, A., & Duque, J. (2022). Traumatic Injuries to the Hand From the Use of an Angle Grinder. A Problem in Our Field. Revista De La Asociación Argentina De Ortopedia Y Traumatología, 87(2), 197-206. https://doi.org/10.15417/issn.1852-7434.2022.87.2.1497
Section
Clinical Research
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11. Sozbilen M, Dastan A, Gunay H, Kukuc L. A prospective study of angle grinder injuries in the hands and forearms during a one-year period. Hand Surg Rehab 2018;37(5):300-4. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hansur.2018.07.002
12. Lombardi D, Sorock G, Hauser R, Nasca F, Eisen E, Herrick R, et al. Temporal factors and the prevalence of
transient exposures at the time of an occupational traumatic hand injury. J Occup Environ Med 2003;45(8):832-40.
https://doi.org/10.1097/01.jom.0000083030.56116.1a
13. Ribak S, Nunes de Oliveira E, Rosolino G, Orru Neto P, Tietzmann A. Epidemiologia das lesões traumáticas do
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injury: a case-crossover study. J Occup Environ Hyg 2004;1(3):182-90. https://doi.org/10.1080/15459620490424500
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maintenance. Ergonomics (USA) 1994;37(2):333-43. https://doi.org/10.1080/00140139408963650
17. Stewart A, Biddulph G, Firth GB. The aetiology of acute traumatic occupational hand injuries seen at a South
African state hospital. SA Orthop J 2017;16(4):49-53. https://doi.org/10.17159/2309-8309/2017/v16n4a8
18. Kaya Bicer E, Kucuk L, Kececi B, Murat Ozturk A, Cetinkaya S, Ozdemir O, et al. Evaluation of the risk factors for acute occupational hand injuries. Chir Main 2011;30(5):340-4. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.main.2011.04.003
19. Liu X, Huang G, Huang H, Wang S, Zong Y, Chen W. Transient risk factors for acute occupational hand injuries
among metal manufacturing workers: A case-crossover study in southern China. Am J Ind Med 2016; 59(10):832-
40. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajim.22625
20. Khan K, Gandhi A, Sharma V, Jain S. Penetrating head injury due to angle grinder: an occupational hazard. Br J
Neurosurg 2019;33(2):202-6. https://doi.org/10.1080/02688697.2018.1467375
21. Thurner W, Pollak S. Morphologic aspects of angle grinder injury. Beitr Gerichtl Med 1989;47:641-7.
PMID: 2818547
2. Loisel F, Bonin S, Jeunet L, Pauchot J, Tropet Y, Obert L. Woodworking injuries: a comparative study of workrelated and hobby-related accidents. Chir Main 2014;33(5):325-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.main.2014.06.003
3. DavasAksanA, Durusoy R, Bal E, Kayalar M, Ada S, Tanık F. Risk factors for occupational hand injuries:
Relationship between agency and finger. Am J Ind Med 2012; 55(5): 465-73. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajim.22016
4. Jin K, Lombardi DA, Courtney TK, Sorock GS, Li M, Pan R. A crossover case study of work-related acute traumatic hand injuries in the People’s Republic of China. Scand J Work Environ Health 2012;38(2):163-70.
https://doi.org/10.5271/sjweh.3262
5. Prevention of injuries associated with Do-It-Yourself Activities. Victorian Injury Surveillance & Applied Research
Function Monash University Accident Research Centre, Hazard (Edition No. 41) December 1999. Disponible en:
https://www.monash.edu/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/218427/haz41.pdf
6. Himmler A, Pacurucu Merchán AX, López Espinoza CE, Varney S, Cevallos Agurto C. Corte profundo: heridas por amoladora en Ecuador. Ateneo 2020;22(1):47-56. Disponible en: https://www.colegiomedicosazuay.ec/ojs/index.php/ateneo/article/view/108
7. Frank M, Lange J, Napp M, Hecht J, Ekkernkamp A, Hinz P. Accidental circular saw hand injuries: trauma
mechanisms, injury patterns, and accident insurance. Forensic Sci Int 2010;198(1-3):74-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2010.01.003
8. Campbell D, Kay S. The Hand Injury Severity Scoring System. J Hand Surg 1996;21B(3):295-8.
https://doi.org/10.1016/s0266-7681(05)80187-1
9. Guía Técnica de Prevención: Equipos y elementos de protección personal. Ministerio de Producción y Trabajo,
Presidencia de la Nación, Argentina, 2019. Disponible en:
https://www.argentina.gob.ar/sites/default/files/04_guia_equipos_y_elementos_de_proteccion_personal_ok.pdf
10. Lopez Sullaez L, Estrada Ruiz R. Repercusión ocupacional de las amputaciones traumáticas en dedos de la mano por accidente de trabajo. Medicina y Seguridad del Trabajo 2009;55(217):41-8. Disponible en:
https://scielo.isciii.es/pdf/mesetra/v55n217/original4.pdf
11. Sozbilen M, Dastan A, Gunay H, Kukuc L. A prospective study of angle grinder injuries in the hands and forearms during a one-year period. Hand Surg Rehab 2018;37(5):300-4. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hansur.2018.07.002
12. Lombardi D, Sorock G, Hauser R, Nasca F, Eisen E, Herrick R, et al. Temporal factors and the prevalence of
transient exposures at the time of an occupational traumatic hand injury. J Occup Environ Med 2003;45(8):832-40.
https://doi.org/10.1097/01.jom.0000083030.56116.1a
13. Ribak S, Nunes de Oliveira E, Rosolino G, Orru Neto P, Tietzmann A. Epidemiologia das lesões traumáticas do
membro superior em hospital universitário. Acta Ortop Bras 2018;26(6). https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-785220182606180607
14. Chow C, Lee H, Lau J, Yu I. Transient risk factors for acute traumatic hand injuries: a case-crossover study in Hong Kong. Occup Environ Med 2007;64(1):47-52. https://doi.org/10.1136/oem.2006.028589
15. Sorock G, Lombardi D, Peng D, Hauser R, Eisen E, Herrick R, et al. Glove use and the relative risk of acute hand
injury: a case-crossover study. J Occup Environ Hyg 2004;1(3):182-90. https://doi.org/10.1080/15459620490424500
16. Mital A, Kuo T, Faard, H. A quantitative evaluation of gloves used with non-powered hand tools in routine
maintenance. Ergonomics (USA) 1994;37(2):333-43. https://doi.org/10.1080/00140139408963650
17. Stewart A, Biddulph G, Firth GB. The aetiology of acute traumatic occupational hand injuries seen at a South
African state hospital. SA Orthop J 2017;16(4):49-53. https://doi.org/10.17159/2309-8309/2017/v16n4a8
18. Kaya Bicer E, Kucuk L, Kececi B, Murat Ozturk A, Cetinkaya S, Ozdemir O, et al. Evaluation of the risk factors for acute occupational hand injuries. Chir Main 2011;30(5):340-4. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.main.2011.04.003
19. Liu X, Huang G, Huang H, Wang S, Zong Y, Chen W. Transient risk factors for acute occupational hand injuries
among metal manufacturing workers: A case-crossover study in southern China. Am J Ind Med 2016; 59(10):832-
40. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajim.22625
20. Khan K, Gandhi A, Sharma V, Jain S. Penetrating head injury due to angle grinder: an occupational hazard. Br J
Neurosurg 2019;33(2):202-6. https://doi.org/10.1080/02688697.2018.1467375
21. Thurner W, Pollak S. Morphologic aspects of angle grinder injury. Beitr Gerichtl Med 1989;47:641-7.
PMID: 2818547