Mutilating Hand Injuries(Hand Trauma; Hand Injury)
by
Patricia Griffin Kellicker, BSN DefinitionA mutilating hand injury is severe damage to the hand. It will make it hard or impossible to use the hand. The injury may include damage to bones, tendons, soft tissues, nerves, and skin. It can become a life-threatening condition. If you have this type of injury, call for medical help right away. Immediate care may result in a better repair. It can also decrease the chance of further damage. Serious infections and long term disability can develop without care. CausesMutilating hand injuries can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
Risk FactorsFactors that may increase your chance of injury include:
SymptomsInjury to the hand is often obvious. Common symptoms include:
DiagnosisThe doctor will quickly assess the injury. The wound will be checked. Nerves and tendons of the hand will be tested. Image tests will show more detail of the damage. They can show damage to the bones, nerves, tendons, and skin. Tests may include: Anesthesia may be given. It will block pain so that the doctor can examine the wound more closely. TreatmentImmediate care will stop any bleeding. An IV will be started to give fluids and pain medicine. A hand specialist may be needed. Other steps may include: Tetanus ShotBacteria on the skin can enter the body through damaged skin. This can lead to a serious infection called tetanus. If you have not had a recent tetanus vaccination, you may be given one. It will help your body find and attack the bacteria. MedicineMedicine may help in the following ways:
Wound IrrigationThe wound will be flushed out with water. It will help to remove any debris that may be trapped in the wounds. This will help to prevent infection. Hand SurgeryImmediate surgery may be needed. Less severe injury will be dressed and splinted. A surgical plan can be made later. The goal of surgery is to repair as much damage as possible. It may be able to save some function in the hand. Several surgeries are often needed for this type of injury. RehabilitationRehab can help to regain movement in the hand. It can also help to make changes if there are some limits to hand movement. Rehab may include:
PreventionTo help reduce your chance of a hand injury:
RESOURCES:Hand Care—American Society for Surgery of the Hand http://handcare.assh.org OrthoInfo—American
Academy
of Orthopaedic Surgeons http://www.orthoinfo.org CANADIAN RESOURCES:Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation http://www.canorth.org The Canadian Society of Plastic Surgeons http://www.plasticsurgery.ca References:Fingertips injuries and amputations. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Ortho Info website. Available at:
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EBSCO Medical Review Board
Monica Zangwill, MD, MPH Last Updated: 1/8/2019 |
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