Hands are integral to our daily lives, facilitating everything from simple tasks like eating and dressing to complex activities like playing musical instruments or doing labor work. Due to their frequent use and exposure to various situations, it makes them more vulnerable to injuries. Approximately 20% of emergency room visits are because of hand injuries (Gordon, 2021) (Jarvik, 1991). The most common injuries can be categorized into lacerations, fractures, strains/sprains, and contusions/abrasions.
Lacerations
Lacerations are deep cuts or tears. Some scenarios that could lead to hand lacerations includekitchen accidents, handling glass, or using knives improperly. Symptoms include pain, bleeding,and damage to the skin and underlying tissues. If it is a more severe lacerations, it may require stitches or surgical intervention to promote proper healing and prevent infection. If you are going to the emergency room, there is the chance that the injury is deeper than the skin layer. Lacerations account for the most common injury seen in emergency rooms (Gordon, 2021). Of the deeper injuries, lacerations of the tendons in the hands are the most frequent (Frazier, 1978).
Fractures
Hand fractures are breaks in the bones of the hand, including fingers and metacarpal bones. They can result from a direct blow, a fall, or crushing injuries. Symptoms include pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty moving the hand or fingers. Fractures are the second most common injury to see in the emergency room (Gordon, 2021). Treatment varies depending on the severity and location of the fracture but often involves immobilization with a splint or cast, pain management, and sometimes surgery to realign the bones (Wong, 2008). Hand therapy will be advised as soon as the doctor feels the hand is ready for it.
Strains/Sprains
Hand strains and sprains occur when the muscles or ligaments in the hand are stretched or torn, usually due to sudden or excessive force applied to the hand (Altizer, 2003). This can happen during sports, falls, or accidents. Symptoms include pain, swelling, and instability in the affected area. Treatment involves rest, ice, compression, and elevation, along with pain medication and physical therapy to restore strength and mobility.
Contusions/Abrasions
Contusions, also known as bruises, and abrasions, also known as scrapes, are injuries that affect the skin and underlying tissues. Contusions occur when blood vessels under the skin break due to blunt force trauma, leading to discoloration and tenderness. Abrasions result from friction, such as scraping your hand against a rough surface, cause superficial damage to the skin.
If possible, it’s best to prevent these common injuries and protect our hands. Simple measures such as using protective gear, handling sharp objects carefully, and practicing proper hand hygiene can reduce the risk of injury. Regular exercise and conditioning can also help maintain hand strength and flexibility, lowering the likelihood of strains, sprains, fractures, and contusions. By practicing caution and seeking prompt treatment when needed, we can minimize the impact of these injuries and maintain the functionality of our hands.
Resources:
Altizer, L. (2003). Strains and sprains. Orthopaedic Nursing, 22(6), 404-409.- https://journals.lww.com/orthopaedicnursing/citation/2003/11000/strains_and_sprains.6.aspx
Frazier, W. H., Miller, M., Fox, R. S., Brand, D., & Finseth, F. (1978). Hand injuries: incidence and epidemiology in an emergency service. Journal of the American College of Emergency Physicians, 7(7), 265-268.- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0361112478803360
Gordon, A. M., Malik, A. T., & Goyal, K. S. (2021). Trends of hand injuries presenting to US emergency departments: a 10-year national analysis. The American Journal of Emergency Medicine, 50, 466-471.- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0735675721006999
Jarvik, J. G., Dalinka, M. K., & Kneeland, J. B. (1991, October). Hand injuries in adults. In Seminars in roentgenology (Vol. 26, No. 4, pp. 282-299). WB Saunders.- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0037198X9190027L
Wong, H. K., Lam, C. Y., Wong, K. Y., Ip, W. Y., & Fung, K. K. (2008). Treatment of phalangeal and metacarpal fractures: a review. J Orthop, 10(1), 1-9.- View the PDF