Orthopedic injuries caused by angle grinders: a case series from a hospital in Popayán, Colombia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58814/01208845.659Keywords:
Accidental Injuries, Wounds and Injuries, Hand Injuries, Fractures, Bone, Amputation, TraumaticAbstract
Introduction: Angle grinders are commonly used in occupational and domestic settings; however, inappropriate use may cause severe extremity injuries, especially to the hands and fingers.
Objective: To describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of orthopedic injuries caused by angle grinders, as well as associated risk factors, in patients treated at a referral hospital in Popayán, Colombia.
Methodology: A prospective descriptive case series was conducted between February 2024 and February 2025 at Hospital Susana López de Valencia in Popayán, Colombia. All patients with extremity injuries related to angle grinder use were included. Data collected included demographic and occupational variables, accident circumstances, use of personal protective equipment, tool modifications, material being cut, and anatomical characteristics of the injuries, including fractures and amputations.
Results: A total of 28 male patients were included, with a mean age of 42.30 years. The most affected age group was 40-49 years (28.60%). Most patients were manual workers from people belonging to socioeconomic stratum 1 (the lowest socioeconomic level in Colombia) (78.60%). Accidents occurred mainly at home (64.30%), in the afternoon (57.10%), and involved modified machines in 50% of cases. Nearly half of the patients (46.40%) did not use personal protective equipment. Wood was the most frequently involved material (89.30%). Injuries predominantly affected the left upper limb (50%), especially the hand and fingers (42.80%). Fractures were identified in 8 patients (28.60%), all involving phalanges, and seven amputations of hand digits (25%) were documented.
Conclusion: Angle grinder injuries mainly affect adult male manual workers, occurring mainly in domestic settings and frequently associated with a lack of personal protection. Use on wood, equipment modification, and absence of protective gear were identified as key risk factors. These findings underscore the importance of preventive and educational strategies.
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