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Snowblower injuries to the hand
D P Dietzel1, J Gorosh, E F Burke
1Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Michigan State University, East Lansing, USA.
American Journal of Orthopedics (Belle Mead, N.J.)
|December 31, 1997
Summary
Snowblower hand injuries frequently affect dominant hand digits, often due to users placing hands in the exit chute despite awareness the machine is running. Most injuries involved multiple fingers, with amputation patterns mirroring digit length frequency.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Trauma Surgery
- Public Health
Background:
- Snowblowers are powerful machines capable of causing severe hand injuries.
- Understanding injury patterns and circumstances is crucial for prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the characteristics and patterns of hand injuries caused by snowblowers.
- To identify common circumstances leading to these injuries for preventative strategies.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 62 patient records with snowblower-related hand injuries.
- Analysis of injury patterns, affected digits, and patient-reported circumstances.
Main Results:
- Injuries predominantly affected the dominant hand, with frequency correlating to digit length.
- Most patients sustained multiple digital injuries, including amputations.
- A common factor was users placing hands into the running machine's exit chute, often in wet, heavy snow conditions.
Conclusions:
- Snowblower hand injuries are severe and often involve multiple digits.
- User awareness of the running machine does not always prevent dangerous actions.
- Preventative measures should address user behavior and understanding of machine hazards.