Hand & Face Trauma
Hand & Face Trauma is one of the most complex injuries treated in the
emergency
department. They are time sensitive and require highly specialized care. Patients may have
difficulty
accessing appropriate hand trauma care due to a variety of factors.
At one time or Face-Traumaanother, everyone has had a minor injury to a
finger,
hand, or wrist that caused pain or swelling. Most of the time our body movements do not cause
problems,
but it's not surprising that symptoms develop from everyday wear and tear, overuse, or an
injury.
Finger, hand, or wrist injuries most commonly occur during:
-
Sports or recreational activities
-
Work-related tasks: Work or projects around the
home,
especially if using machinery such as lawn mowers, snow blowers, or hand tools.
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Accidental falls
-
Fistfights
-
The risk of finger, hand, or wrist injury is
higher in
contact sports, such as wrestling, football, or soccer, and in high-speed sports, such
as biking,
in-line skating, skiing, snowboarding, and skateboarding. Sports that require
weight-bearing on the
hands and arms, such as gymnastics, can increase the risk for injury. Sports that use
hand equipment
such as ski poles, hockey or lacrosse sticks, or racquets also increase the risk of
injury.
-
Treatment for a Face, finger, hand, or wrist
injury may
include first aid measures; medicine; "buddy-taping" for support; application of a
brace, splint, or
cast; Physiotherapy; and in some cases, surgery.
Treatment depends on:
- The location, type, and severity of the injury.
- How long ago the injury occurred.
- Your age, health condition, and activities (such
as work,
sports, or hobbies).