Hand Therapy > Volume 14, Number 1 > Pp. 10-21

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Work-related hand fracture injuries in British Columbia, Canada: a population-based BC-linked health data-set study

Lynne M Feehan  and Samuel S Sheps

Health Care and Epidemiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Correspondence: Dr Lynne Feehan, Centre for Hip Health and Mobility, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 311-2647 Willow Street, Vancouver, BC V5Z 3P1, Canada. Email: Lynne.feehan{at}hiphealth.ca

Objective. To define population-based incidence, demographics and claim rates, as well as clinical presentation and claims duration and costs for work-related hand fractures in British Columbia (BC), Canada in 2001.

Methods. A BC-linked health data-set one-year retrospective review of all reported work-place hand fracture injuries in BC in 2001 with additional evaluation of individual health care and claims data from randomly selected individuals with a compensation claim in 2001.

Results. There were 14,654 hand fractures, of which 14% (2085) were work related; an annual incidence rate of 11/10,000 workers. Males accounted for 88% (1488/2085) of the fractures and the mean age was 39 (SD: ±12). Only 60% (290/482) of randomly selected people filed a compensation claim. Of these claims, 90% (260) had a validated hand fracture injury, 72% (218) were non-articular and 13% (38) had complex associated tissue injuries. About 69% (180) had no or simple closed reduction, 82% (213) had no additional fixation, 63% (163) were immobilized for at least 21 days and 9% (24) developed a secondary complication that required surgery. Average days off work was 46 (range 0–290) and average claims cost was $5500 CDN (range $145–$56,900).

Conclusions. Hand fractures are a common workplace injury in BC, with a significant proportion of workers not claiming compensation. These injuries generally presented clinically as simple fractures that were managed conservatively with few complications. Despite this, there was still a significant socioeconomic burden primarily due to lost work-place productivity due to time loss from work. These findings likely reflect similar trends for work-related hand fractures throughout Canada and other countries with similar health care and workers' compensation systems.

Key Words: Claim rates • claim costs and duration • clinical presentation • complications • demographics • fracture • hand • incidence • management • population-based • work-related

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