Categories of Ozyurekoglu et al for Hay Baler Injury to the Upper Extremity

Description

Farming is a hazardous profession, and it is not uncommon to meet farmers lacking one or more fingers. Ozyurekoglu et al classify injuries to the upper extremity capable of being caused by a hale baler. The authors are from the University of Louisville in Kentucky.

Parameters:

(1) hand viability

(2) extent of tissue loss

Type of Hand Injury	Extent of Tissue Loss	Group
viable hand	single digit injury	I
viable hand	limited	II
viable hand	extensive	III
nonviable hand (amputation and/or devascularization)	limited	IV
nonviable hand (amputation and/or devascularization)	extensive	V

Group	Example
I	amputation of all or part of finger; other injury to finger
II	fracture; laceration of muscle, tendon and/or nerve
III	as for II, but with extensive loss of tissue
IV	loss of all or part of hand with or without forearm; ischemia from loss of arterial blood supply
V	as for IV, but with extensive loss of tissue, such as crushing injury, avulsion, etc

where:

• The loss of 2 fingers could be included in either Group I or II.

• In theory an amputated hand might be reattached, but the tissue damage may prevent this.

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Description

Specialty

ICD-10