Hand Doctors Discuss Crush Injuries of the Hand
Thanks to modern protective equipment and stricter safety regulations, industrial crush injuries of the hand are not as common as they once were. However, disabled or defective safety equipment, inadequate employee training, or just plain user error or mistake can still result in a mechanical crush injury of the hand or fingers.
A crushed hand or fingers can be a devastating injury. The crushing force can damage not only the bones, but also the blood vessels, tendons, muscles, ligaments, nerves, and other soft tissues. For this reason crush injuries of the hand must be treated by a hand specialist who understands the many complex systems within the hand.
Causes of Crush Injuries of the Hand
Industrial accidents are the leading cause of crush injuries to the hand. For example, a worker may get his or her hand or fingers caught in a wringer or roller mechanism.
High impact accidents, especially auto and motorcycle accidents are the second largest cause of crush injuries to the hand.
However, having something heavy drop onto the hands or fingers, or slamming the hand or fingers in a door, drawer, etc. can also cause severe crush injuries. Children are particularly susceptible to crush injuries from doors due to the small size of there fingers.
How Hand Doctors Diagnose Crush Injuries of the Hand
Often with crush injuries there may be a delayed inflammatory reaction – with the inflammation and swelling taking a while to appear. This can lead to the injured person, and even an inexperienced health care professional, wrongly believing that the injury is “not that serious”.
But if a crushed hand injury is not treated promptly and properly, it can potentially be followed by compartment syndrome, vascular damage, infection, neurological injury, and tissue death (necrosis).
If bones are broken, they need to be set as soon as possible to ensure proper healing, without an ensuing deformity. If nerves are injured, tingling, numbness and even temporary or permanent paralysis can result if not treated promptly. Similarly, if tendons are injured and left untreated it may become difficult or impossible for the patient to bend or extend their hand and fingers.
How Hand Doctors Treat Crush Injuries of the Hand
Because crush injuries of the hand can damage any combination of bone(s), nerve(s), tendons, ligaments, blood vessels and soft tissue, there is not a one-size-fits-all treatment for a crushed hand.
Only an experienced hand doctor can accurately examine, test, diagnose and prescribe a comprehensive treatment plan for the specific type(s) of injuries caused by the crush injury.
Board certified hand surgeon Dr. Rehman will thoroughly assess the severity of your crush injury and develop a treatment plan that may include medication, surgery, in office physical therapy, and/or at home therapy and exercise to ensure that you regain the use of your hand and fingers – without long-term complications.
Top Detroit Area Hand Doctor
If you are suffering from a crush injury or any type of pain in your hand, fingers, wrist, elbow or arm, contact board certified Detroit area hand surgeon Doctor Rehman for a comprehensive evaluation and consultation. Early assessment and treatment is the most effective way to combat the effects of a crush injury, and ensure there is no permanent or long term damage.
Doctor Rehman will assess your individual situation, and prescribe the treatments that are best for your condition.
