Management of treadmill hand injuries using soft tissue distraction

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Hand Surgery
• Orthopedic Surgery
• Trauma Care

Background:

• Home treadmill use is increasing, leading to unique hand injuries in toddlers.
• These injuries can cause finger damage, potentially resulting in flexion contracture if untreated.
• Traditional skin grafting for these injuries may lead to complications like graft discoloration and contracture recurrence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate Z-plasty combined with soft tissue distraction and long-term splinting as an alternative treatment for treadmill hand injuries.
• To assess the long-term outcomes of this combined surgical approach.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective descriptive cross-sectional study of 8 patients with treadmill hand injuries (2006-2011).
• Data collected included demographics, injury details, treatment methods (wound care, surgical technique), and outcomes.
• Surgical intervention involved Z-plasty with soft tissue distraction, followed by long-term splinting.

Main Results:

• Fifteen fingers across 7 patients sustained volar injuries, with the middle finger being most affected.
• All patients experienced multiple finger injuries.
• Long-term follow-up showed acceptable volar skin coverage and complete range of motion in all treated fingers.

Conclusions:

• Z-plasty with soft tissue distraction and prolonged splinting is a viable alternative to skin grafting for treadmill hand injuries.
• This method effectively addresses complications associated with skin grafting, such as discoloration and contracture recurrence.
• The technique promotes favorable aesthetic and functional outcomes in pediatric patients.