A retrospective analysis of spinal and cranial injury patterns caused by a fall from a tree in the Karabük province

Introduction and purpose Falling from a tree is a common cause of injury in and around the Karabük province. Such injuries can impair the quality of life by causing permanent damage and can increase morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to reveal the patterns of spinal and cranial injuries in patients admitted to the hospital. Methods Patients who were admitted to the emergency department after falling from a tree in the Karabük province over a 2-year period and were diagnosed with injuries caused by falling from a tree were included. The parameters of age, sex, type of tree which the patient fell from, spinal and cranial fracture patterns and pain scores during follow-up were evaluated. Results We studied 98 patients over a 2-year period. Of these, 5 (5.10%) patients were aged <18 and belonged to the pediatric group and 93 (94.89%) were adults. Moreover, 26 (26.53%) patients were female and 72 (73.46%) were male. The mean age of the patients was 54.4 ± 15.78 years. Spinal injury occurred in 35 (35.71%), cranial injury in 5 (5.10%), and simple injuries to the scalp and neck in 7 (7.14%), Further, 24 (24.48%) patients had musculoskeletal fractures, including orthopedic fractures, and 27 (27.55%) patients had chest injuries. Conclusion Falling from trees is a seasonal phenomenon. In addition to being a major cause of morbidity and mortality, it can impair the quality of life by causing disabilities as well as other damage. Occupational safety experts, public health experts, and clinicians and surgeons should work together to find a solution.