hand surgeons urge safety in the garden 5f622160be232

Hand Surgeons Urge Safety in the Garden

Las Vegas Plastic Surgery

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When most people think about plastic surgeons they immediately associate our work with movie stars and the most prominent cosmetic procedures in the news today. However, like any experienced physican, plastic surgeons are trained in a variety of surgical areas, including aesthetic, reconstructive, microvascular and hand surgery.  As board certified physicans, plastic surgeons are often called upon to perform various procedures with a patient’s hands.

A very common hand related issue we see in the Emergency Room is traumatic injury from working in the garden. As a plastic surgeon in Las Vegas I have seen this type of problem become very serious in a very short period of time. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), emergency rooms treat more than 400,000 outdoor garden-tool-related accidents each year. With proper safety techniques, you can stay away from the hospital and avoid becoming a statistic.

Recently I came across an article on the American Society for Surgery of the Hand (ASSH) website that gave several good reminders about working safely in the garden. I wanted to pass them on. Hopefully this will come just in time for harvest season.

Some of the recommendations include:

Wear gloves when working outside

Avoid prolonged repetitive motions

Watch for Buried Objects

Use the right tool for the job

Use proper ergonomic posture

Avoid products with form-fitting handles.

Following a hand injury or any other type of trauma while gardening you should visit an emergency room or a hand surgeon if:

Continuous pressure does not stop the bleeding after 15 minutes

You notice persistent numbness or tingling in the fingertip

You are unsure of your tetanus immunization status

You are unable to thoroughly cleanse the wound by rinsing with a mild soap and plenty of clean water.

I will stress that prevention is always the best way to go. Using the above points will help in keeping the gardener happy and  injury free.  Accidents do happen, so please if there is any question at all about your health do not hesitate to seek medical attention immediately!

Have a great harvest…

Jeffrey J. Roth, M.D., F.A.C.S.

Las Vegas Plastic Surgery

(702) 450-0777

www.jjrothmd.com

References: 

American Society for Surgery of the Hand 

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