What is Paediatric Hand Trauma?
Paediatric hand trauma refers to injuries of a child’s hand, wrist, or fingers, commonly caused by falls, cuts, burns, or crush accidents.
Figure 01: A child’s curious hand, used as an exploratory tool, is often at risk of injury.
Common Causes of Children’s Hand Injuries
- Falls – playground accidents, sports mishaps
- Cuts and lacerations – scissors, knives, broken glass
- Crush injuries – doors, heavy objects
- Burns – hot surfaces, liquids, chemicals
- Sports injuries – ball impact, finger jams
When to Seek Immediate Medical Care
Call your doctor or visit the emergency department if your child shows:
- Swelling or severe bruising
- Visible deformity, such as bent or twisted fingers
- Deep cuts or open wounds
- Numbness, tingling, or loss of sensation
- Inability to move fingers well
- Pale or cold fingers
Figure 02: Deformity often results from an underlying fracture
First Aid Steps for a Child’s Hand Injury
- Stop the bleeding – Apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth.
- Clean minor wounds – Rinse under running water; avoid scrubbing.
- Immobilise the hand – Use a soft splint, bandage, or rolled towel.
- If swollen, apply ice – 15–20 minutes per hour, wrapped in cloth.
- Seek medical care – Especially for fractures, deep cuts, or suspected tendon injuries.
Treatment for Paediatric Hand Trauma
- Splinting or casting for fractures and sprains
- “Stitches for deep cuts – microscopic vision is often necessary to identify and repair small nerves and blood vessels.
- Surgery for complex fractures or tendon damage
- Therapy to restore strength and flexibility
Paediatric hand surgeons are trained to treat these injuries while preserving both function and appearance.
Figure 03: “Super-microsurgery” allows us to repair the smallest vessels – the artery in this picture is 0.3 mm diameter.
Recovery and Rehabilitation
Children often heal faster than adults, but consistent follow-up care is essential:
- Attend all check-ups
- Follow splint/cast instructions
- Begin hand exercises as advised
- Monitor for signs of infection: redness, swelling, pus, or fever
Preventing Hand Injuries in Children
- Supervise playground and sports activities
- Teach safe tool and equipment use
- Install door guards to reduce the risk of finger crush injuries
- Keep sharp, hot, and chemical items out of reach
- Use protective gear for sports
Key Takeaways for Parents
- Act quickly – early treatment prevents long-term problems
- Don’t ignore mild-looking injuries – some are more serious than they appear
- Specialist care matters – paediatric hand surgeons are trained to manage children’s unique anatomy and growth potential.
- Prevention is key – safety habits reduce risk
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Paediatric Hand Trauma
Q1: What is paediatric hand trauma?
Injuries to a child’s hand, wrist, or fingers, including fractures, cuts, burns, and crush injuries.
Q2: How can I tell if it’s serious?
Look for swelling, deformity, severe pain, numbness, or pale/cold fingers.
Q3: What should I do after an injury?
Stop bleeding, clean the wound, immobilise the hand, apply ice, and get medical help.
Q4: Who should treat my child’s hand injury?
A paediatric hand surgeon or orthopaedic specialist.
Q5: How can I prevent hand injuries?
Supervise play, use safety devices, and teach safe handling of tools and sports gear.
