Occupational-Seasonal Spine and Other Orthopaedic Injuries due to Fall from Java Plum Tree

Abstract

Background: Falling from a Java Plum (Jamun) tree is one of the primary causes of Spine and other extremity fractures during the Monsoon season (when it is harvested) in Pakistan. Objective: To assess the distribution of patients with different facture types presented with the history of fall from Jamun tree during Monsoon season. Study Design: Retrospective study Place and Duration of Study: Department of Orthopaedics & Spine Surgery, Ghurki Trust Teaching Hospital, Lahore 1st May 2020 to 31st August 2020, Methodology: Forty two male patients age ranged from 12-55 years of age were enrolled. Information was obtained from the hospital’s trauma registry, and medical records were retrospectively reviewed for data about the type of fractures, occupational status, pre-hospital immobilization, time of presentation, and the time between fall and management and length of hospital stay were reviewed. Results: The average age of the patient was 34.6 years. Twenty four (57.14%) had spine fractures and 18 (42.8%) suffered other axial and skeletal fractures. Nearly three-fourths needed surgical intervention. In contrast, 26.1 % were managed conservatively. Conclusion: During monsoon season, we received 4.6% of extra patients with different injuries following fall from Jamun tree. In most cases, young men from lower socio-economic status suffer from varying degrees of disability and experience financial problems. Keywords: Fall, Java Plum, Mass awareness, Occupational-seasonal injury, Spine fractures