Analysis of Patients with Vertebral Gunshot Injuries According to Return to Work

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Guillermo Alejandro Ricciardi
Santiago Formaggin
Ignacio Garfinkel
Víctor Verna
Marcelo Claudio López
Gabriel Carrioli
Daniel Oscar Ricciardi

Abstract

Introduction: Firearm spinal injuries account for 13-17% of all traumatic spinal injuries, with varying clinical manifestations. The goal of this study was to examine the demographic and clinical-therapeutic characteristics of patients who suffered spinal injuries as a consequence of gunshots in the context of workplace incidents, based on how soon they could return to work.
Materials and Methods: An analytic, observational, and retrospective study of patients with spinal injuries caused by firearms in workplace incidents between January 2012 and March 2022 was conducted. Variables associated with the incident, initial assessment, spinal injury, treatment, progression, and return to work were recorded.
Results: Twenty-two individuals were evaluated (15 men and 7 women; mean age 32.5 years). 54% were law enforcement officers, yet 82% of the accidents happened on the job. 90% had associated injuries. Twelve (55%) required surgery, while ten (45%) required conservative treatment. 81% had complications. Twelve patients (54%) returned to work, one-third were requalified, and nine needed sick leave. Patients on permanent sick leave had a statistically significant relationship with chest topography (p = 0.005), severe neurological damage (p = 0.004), transfixing or penetrating injuries (p = 0.005), the need for chronic psychiatric treatment (p = 0.012), and more days of temporary incapacity for work (p = 0.001).
Conclusion: In our series, permanent sick leave was associated with thoracic, transfixing, or penetrating injuries, severe neurological compromise, and the need for chronic clinical-pharmacological psychiatric treatment.

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How to Cite
Ricciardi, G. A., Formaggin, S., Garfinkel, I., Verna, V., López, M. C., Carrioli, G., & Ricciardi, D. O. (2023). Analysis of Patients with Vertebral Gunshot Injuries According to Return to Work. Revista De La Asociación Argentina De Ortopedia Y Traumatología, 88(3), 286-295. https://doi.org/10.15417/issn.1852-7434.2023.88.3.1597
Section
Clinical Research
Author Biographies

Guillermo Alejandro Ricciardi, Spinal Surgery, Centro Médico Integral Fitz Roy, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Spinal Surgery, Centro Médico Integral Fitz Roy, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Santiago Formaggin, Spinal Surgery, Centro Médico Integral Fitz Roy, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Spinal Surgery, Centro Médico Integral Fitz Roy, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Ignacio Garfinkel, Spinal Surgery, Centro Médico Integral Fitz Roy, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Spinal Surgery, Centro Médico Integral Fitz Roy, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Víctor Verna, Spinal Surgery, Centro Médico Integral Fitz Roy, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Spinal Surgery, Centro Médico Integral Fitz Roy, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Marcelo Claudio López, Spinal Surgery, Centro Médico Integral Fitz Roy, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Spinal Surgery, Centro Médico Integral Fitz Roy, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Gabriel Carrioli, Spinal Surgery, Centro Médico Integral Fitz Roy, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Spinal Surgery, Centro Médico Integral Fitz Roy, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Daniel Oscar Ricciardi, Spinal Surgery, Centro Médico Integral Fitz Roy, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Spinal Surgery, Centro Médico Integral Fitz Roy, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina

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