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Home treadmill friction injuries: a five-year review
Margaret L Collier1, R Scott Ward, Jeffrey R Saffle
1Intermountain Burn Trauma Center, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.
The Journal of Burn Care & Rehabilitation
|September 9, 2004
Summary
Young children can suffer serious friction burns from treadmills. This study found that 4% of pediatric burn patients had treadmill injuries, with many requiring surgery and incurring significant medical costs.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric burn injuries
- Home safety and injury prevention
Background:
- Treadmills are common in American homes, posing a risk to young children.
- Contact with moving treadmills can cause severe friction injuries in children under 6 years old.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the impact and characteristics of treadmill friction injuries in pediatric patients.
- To analyze treatment outcomes and associated medical costs for these injuries.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 1,211 pediatric patients treated at a burn center from 1997 to 2002.
- Identified 48 cases (4%) of treadmill friction injuries in children younger than 6 years.
- Analyzed injury site, burn depth, treatment, and costs.
Main Results:
- The volar hand surface was the most common injury site.
- Mean total body surface area (TBSA) affected was 0.5%.
- Nearly half (46%) of the injured children had full-thickness burns requiring surgical intervention, with average medical costs of $2,385 per case.
Conclusions:
- Treadmill friction injuries in young children are a significant concern.
- Increased public awareness and preventative measures are crucial to reduce these accidents.
- These injuries often result in severe burns necessitating surgical treatment and substantial healthcare expenses.