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Thursday, May 10, 2012

Prevent Sports Injuries in Young Athletes



Prevent Sports Injuries in Young Athletes

Tips to Prevent Injuries

    -from the Hand Center of Western Massachusetts -  

    Every year thousands of people in western Massachusetts hurt or injure their fingers, hands and wrists at home, at work and while playing sports. Many of these injuries could have been easily avoided. Many of these injuries are alos in CHildren and Young Athletes. At the Hand Center we want to support helping to curtail "the escalation of injuries in youth sports." These tips below are availalble through the ASSH and AAOS.

    Knowing a few preventative measures can help to keep hands safe.

    The physicians and staff at the Hand Center of Western Massachusetts have important safety tips that can protect you and your family from unnecessary harm.

    Articles


    Sports and Fractures

    You may have seen professional athletes on TV playing with casts or splints on their hands or wrists.  Other people, including family, friends, and trainers, may have told you and your child that it won’t be a problem participating in sports immediately after a fracture. The truth turns out to be more complicated.
    There are many factors involved in the care of a fracture and the ultimate return to sports.
    Every fracture has its own personality.  Some fractures are very stable and start off in relatively good position.  Other fractures can be unstable and require surgery with pins, plates or screws.  Some fractures may involve the joint surfaces and may require more care to prevent displacement and complications later on.  Different bones also have different healing potentials with some taking longer to heal.  The age of the patient and severity of the trauma also play an important role in determining the prognosis and ultimate course of treatment.
    Different sports also have different requirements regarding return to play.  A soccer player or cross country runner may be able to avoid using his or her hands all together.  Still other sports run a high risk of reinjury due to the increased contact, unpredictable nature, and significant force involved in the activity, i.e. football, hockey, and wrestling.  Different positions in a particular sport may also affect the decision of when to return to play: kicker vs. quarterback or striker vs. goalie.
    The decision of when to return to sports must be individualized for every patient.  A parent must realize that a child is not the same as a professional athlete.  With a professional athlete, there may be significant financial considerations which factor into whether an athlete should return to play – a professional athlete may be willing take on the risk of reinjury or irreparable problems in the future for immediate glory or fortune.  For most children and teenagers with a fracture – and indeed most adults not competing at a professional level – a more conservative approach is warranted.
    The discussion of when your child can return to sports should take place between you and your doctor.  If your doctor feels that your child may participate in sports with some restrictions, one must realize that there is still a chance that some unforeseen event may occur.  There are rarely if any certainties in medicine as in life.  Your treating hand and upper extremity surgeon must try to weigh all these factors in order to determine the best course of action for your child’s injury.  If your doctor tells you that your son or daughter should not participate in sports at this time, it is because he feels this will ensure the best outcome for your child’s fracture.

    Additional Information


    Video





    The Hand Center of Western Massachusetts encourages you to stop sports injuries.

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    Thursday, March 8, 2012

    Be safe this season leave fireworks to the professionals


    Hand Surgeons Agree: Leave Fireworks to the Professionals

    The American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH) has urged the public to leave fireworks in the hands of the professionals.
    According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 38% of all reported fireworks-related injuries from June 22-July 22, 2001, were to fingers, hands, and arms. These injuries included burns, lacerations, fractures, and traumatic amputation.
    Of the finger, hand, and arm injuries, the majority of injuries were caused from accidents involving firecrackers, bottle rockets, and sparklers— the three firework-types most often used in a backyard environment. Accidents involving firecrackers, bottle rockets, and hand-held sparklers totaled 57% of all firework injuries (source: American Pyrotechnic Association).
    One solution that has been offered by the ASSH to individuals is to attend public fireworks displays, which are monitored for safety by a local fire department, rather than setting off fireworks near or around the home.

    The following precautions should be taken when attending a public fireworks display:

    • Obey safety barriers and ushers.
    • Stay back a minimum of 500 feet from the launching site.
    • Resist the temptation to pick up firework debris when the display is over. The debris may still be hot, or in some cases, the debris might be “live” and could still explode.
    • Never give children hand-held sparklers. Sparklers cause 10% of all firework injuries (source: American Pyrotechnics Association)—and were associated with the most injuries to children under 5 years of age. (source: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission)
    The Hand Center of Western Massachusetts agrees -- keep your hands safe this fourth of July. Enjoy the day and leave fireworks to the professionals


    portions Copyright © American Society for Surgery of the Hand 2008.
    Modified/adapted altered by www.handctr.com from assh.org
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    Saturday, January 21, 2012

    ALERT ****SNOW blower snow thrower safety

    Snow Blower Safety

    Conditions that are associated with a higher incidence of injuries, heavy wet snow exceeding 6 inches of accumulation and temperatures above 28 degrees Fahrenheit offer good opportunities to provide warning for the public. We need your help to reduce the incidence of these preventable injuries.

    Recommendations for safe use of a jammed snow blower snow blowers include: (OCD STICK)

    1. If the snow blower jams, immediately turn it OFF
    2. Disengage the CLUTCH
    3. DELAY...Wait 10 seconds after shutting of to allow Impeller Blades to stop rotating
    4. Always use a STICK or broom handle to clear impacted snow. The stick most be strong enough to avoid breakage or eye injures can result from flying fragments.
    5. Never put your hand near chute or around blades
    6. Keep all shields in place. Do not remove safety devices on machine
    7. Keep hands and feet away from moving parts
    8. Keep a clear head, concentrate and ...
        Do not drink alcoholic beverages before using a snow blower

    As physicians dedicated to the care of the Hand and Upper extremity we want to inform the public concerning the perils and pitfalls of improper snow blower use.  Physicians, nurses, allied health professionals and therapists who deal with these injuries live in fear of the first heavy wet snow of the season. Invariably injuries are seen despite general knowledge that these injuries occur. These safety tips cannot guarantee against injury but hopefully if you are reading these or even better spreading these, it is one more step towards preventing these types of injuries.

    News organizations and weather services can help.

    Conditions that are associated with a higher incidence of injuries, hay wet snow exceeding 6 inches of accumulation and temperatures above 28 degrees Fahrenheit offer good opportunities to provide warning for the public. We need your help to reduce the incidence of these preventable injuries.



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