title: Traumatic spinal injuries on farms: Patients treated in the national spinal unit of Ireland 2005-2015.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Farming is a major industry in Ireland, employing 6% of the workforce but accounts for 40% of workplace fatalities (Meredith, 2008).1The use of machinery and proximity to large livestock poses significant risk for spinal injuries. This study reviews mechanism of injury, injuries sustained, and the treatment undertaken.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 31 patients, 26 sustained high-energy injuries with machinery and livestock implicated in the majority of accidents. 77% sustained poly-trauma and 52% had permanent neurological injury.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The proximity to heavy machinery and livestock pose significant risk for spinal injuries. This study should encourage increased efforts to improve farm safety.
authors.affiliation: National Spinal Injuries Unit, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Eccle St, Dublin 7, Ireland.
authors.forename: Mark J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Berney
authors.affiliation: Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Eccle St, Dublin 7, Ireland.
authors.forename: Ellen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Horstmann
authors.affiliation: Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Eccle St, Dublin 7, Ireland.
authors.forename: Noelle
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Cassidy
keywords: Farm; Injury; Orthopaedic; Spine; Trauma