Reconstructive Hand Surgery

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Crush Injuries

Crush injuries of the hands and fingers can be very serious, even life threatening. To complicate diagnosis and treatment, some crush injuries leave few external wounds, and damage to the internal tissues may take several days to develop. The hand specialist at Hayes Hand Center in Chattanooga, Tennessee have extensive experience in treating crush injuries and other injuries to the hands and fingers.

Symptoms of Crush Injuries of Hands/Fingers

Crush injuries to the hands or fingers can include fractures and dislocated bones. lacerations, contusions, fragments of objects or dirt imbedded in the tissue or bones, or the buildup of blood and serum in the tissue resulting in compartment syndrome.

Tendon injuries and nerve injuries can occur in crush injuries. If nerves are injured, tingling and numbness or paralysis might result, either temporarily or permanently. Damaged blood vessels can lead to a loss of circulation to the hand or fingers. Broken bones and dislocated joints are possible.

Causes of Hand/Finger Crush Injuries

Crush injuries occur when the hands or fingers are subjected to a forceful compression, which causes shearing, contusion stretching, and pressure on these body parts. Examples include: getting hands or fingers caught in any kind of wringer or roller mechanism; high impact accident such as an auto accident; or having something heavy drop onto the hands or fingers.

Treatment of Hand/Finger Crush Injuries

The treatment for crush injuries involves a thorough assessment of all injuries caused by the accident. The hand specialists at the Hayes Hand Center will fully understand the nature of the injuries after a thorough examination and will then decide the best course of treatment as each case is unique.

Depending upon the severity, treatment may be as simple as debridement or splinting, or very complex, involving surgery, nerve repair, blood vessel repair, prevention or treatment of compartment syndrome, treatment for lacerations, or reconstructive hand surgery.  

If you live in the Chattanooga, Tennessee area and would like more information about treatment including reconstructive hand surgery for a crush injury to the hands or fingers, please contact the Hayes Hand Center for an evaluation by one of our hand specialists.