Has your child ever accidentally slammed his or her finger in a door? Beware, because the injury could have some lifelong effects, including amputation and depression, according to a new report.
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The British Association of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons recently released a study detailing the potential dangers of crushing your finger in a door. In the analysis, they noted that 30,000 children trap their fingers in doors each year and more than 1,500 of them require surgery as a result.
"The injuries are so serious that the patient would need to undergo a clinic appointment, an X-ray, day surgery, a follow-up nurse appointment and possibly physiotherapy," Bapras spokeswoman Anna De Leo said in a statement.
Furthermore, injuries can be so brutal that a patient’s finger may have to be amputated or a person could become depressed.
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"Injuries to fingers and hands mean tying your shoelaces, typing, holding a mobile phone or eating become a lot more challenging,” De Leo said. “And this is nothing compared to the impact of a finger amputation. In this situation people may experience elbow pain, migraines and even depression. Fingertip injury alone can result in 20% loss of hand strength and can prevent people from pursuing their chosen career.”
The top three causes of finger and hand injuries among children? It’s self-shutting fire safety doors, car doors and hinges, according to researchers.
Scientists, however, have a few suggestions for prevention. Try hinge protectors. The small, c-shaped devices made of foam or rubber can keep doors from slamming. Although they are not suitable for fire doors, they work well on most others.
Want to learn more about surgeons' findings? Check out the full report here.
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