Orthopaedic Care in the Farming Industry

Our orthopaedic surgeons at OrthoGeorgia work with all different kinds of patients to help them get back to doing what they love. Orthopaedic injuries can occur almost anywhere, whether that be on a sports field, in your home, or at your workplace. Below, you will find a testimonial from Georgia Farm Bureau President Tom McCall, who shares his experience with OrthoGeorgia and what those in his industry should know about staying safe.

An Accident Can Only Take a Second to Happen

Many of you know I had an accident last spring baling hay. It was a Saturday afternoon, and we were two to three hours behind schedule when the baler twine came loose out of one of the needle arms on my square baler. I got down on the ground to rethread the twine without turning off the tractor or the power take off. I knew better, but it was supposed to rain on Monday, and I was in a hurry. I reached up into the baler chamber to get the twine to rethread the needles. About the time I reached up, the baler tripped, and the needle arms caught my right arm and hand.

When I pulled my arm out it looked like an “S.” I had to have surgery on my broken arm, wrist, and hand. Thankfully, I received wonderful care at OrthoGeorgia in Macon from Dr. Waldo Floyd III, and I healed well. Jane and I really appreciated the calls and emails from everyone checking on me.

Sometimes being in a hurry doesn’t pay. Don’t be like me. If you’re about to work on a piece of equipment that’s running off a power take off, turn the tractor off or at least the PTO, so you don’t end up with a big cast and plates and screws in your arm. It can come back to haunt you if you don’t take an extra 15 seconds to do something you know you should do.

Farm safety is something we all need to be conscious of, whether it’s not hitting a ditch in the field, installing a tractor roll over bar, or not working on running equipment. An accident can only take a second to happen. To all my farming friends, my message is simple. Slow down a little bit, and be careful. My family is the most important thing in my life, and I know yours is to you. We all need to practice safety precautions to make sure we are around for our families.

About Dr. Waldo Floyd III, MD, FAOA

Dr. Waldo Floyd III is the son of the founder of OrthoGeorgia. He specializes in surgery of the hand, and is certified in Orthopaedic Surgery and Surgery of the Hand by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery through 2029. He has been a Castle Connolly Top Doctor since 2011 and has held a variety of leadership positions. He is also a member of the American Orthopaedic Association, a selective organization of specialty leaders. Dr. Floyd’s experience in the world of orthopaedics includes authoring many peer reviewed articles and invited publications. He has been a Consultant Reviewer for the Journal of Hand Surgery for over twenty years. Patients can meet with Dr. Floyd at our office in Macon (Building A).

Comprehensive Orthopaedic Surgery and Care in Central GA

At OrthoGeorgia, we help you live more comfortably through comprehensive orthopaedic diagnosis, surgery, and care. Our specialties include spine, hand, total joint, sports medicine, and foot & ankle care. Those who visit OrthoGeorgia have access to our surgery center, urgent care, diagnostic center, workers’ compensation program, and more, including patient-focused rehabilitation services. We want to help you get back to doing what you love – please contact us today to schedule an appointment at one of our offices in Macon (Building A or our Macon Spine and Orthopaedic Center), Warner Robins, Kathleen, Milledgeville, Dublin, or Hawkinsville.