Children’s Hand Injuries – Paediatric Hand Trauma Care Guide for Parents

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

1. Stop the bleeding – Apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth.
2. Clean minor wounds – Rinse under running water; avoid scrubbing.
3. Immobilise the hand – Use a soft splint, bandage, or rolled towel.
4. If swollen, apply ice – 15–20 minutes per hour, wrapped in cloth.
5. 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.