Playground Injuries of the Fingers, Hand, Wrist & Arm

Rochester Hills is a wonderful place to raise a family – with an abundance of beautiful parks and children’s playgrounds. Playgrounds are a wonderful location for children to have fun, get exercise and play with other children. But while playgrounds are great for children’s social, emotional, and physical development, are also a source of injuries for young kids.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 200,000 children under the age of 14 are treated for playground-related injuries each year in the United States alone. And the majority of these injuries are to children’s fingers, hands, wrists, and arms. In this article, top hand doctor Uzma Rehman explores the most common play area injuries suffered by children, offering tips that parents can use to help prevent playground injuries.

Children’s Playground Finger Injuries

Finger injuries are one of the most common types of playground injuries in children. They can result from getting fingers stuck in equipment, crushing fingers between equipment, broken fingers from falls, or getting fingers caught in moving parts of equipment. Injuries to the fingers can range from minor cuts and bruises to more serious injuries like broken bones and in rare cases amputations.

According to a study by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), finger injuries accounted for 24% of all playground injuries in children under the age of 10. Of those finger injuries, 42% were fractures or dislocations.

Parents can help prevent finger injuries by supervising their children on the playground and teaching them how to use the equipment properly. They can also teach children to avoid putting their fingers in places where they could get stuck or caught, such as between swings or in the hinges of doors and equipment.

Children’s Playground Hand Injuries

Hand injuries are another common type of playground injury in children. They can result from falling onto hard surfaces, getting hit by equipment, or getting caught in play equipment. Injuries to the hand can range from minor lacerations and bruises to more serious injuries like broken bones and dislocations.

According to the AAP study, hand injuries accounted for 15% of all playground injuries in children under the age of 10. Of those hand injuries, 33% were fractures or dislocations.

Parents can help prevent hand injuries by ensuring that the playground equipment is safe and in good condition. They can also teach their children how to properly use the equipment and encourage them to avoid risky behaviors like climbing on equipment that is not designed for climbing or jumping from heights.

Children’s Playground Wrist Injuries

Wrist injuries are another common type of playground injury in children. They can result from falling onto hard surfaces, or getting hit by (or stuck in) equipment like swings. Injuries to the wrist can include sprains, strains, fractures and dislocations.

According to the AAP study, wrist injuries accounted for 11% of all playground injuries in children under the age of 10. Of those wrist injuries, 42% were fractures or dislocations.

Parents can help prevent wrist injuries by inspecting the playground equipment to ensure it is in good condition. They can also teach their children how to avoid risky behaviors like jumping off of high equipment.

Children’s Playground Arm Injuries

Arm injuries are another common type of playground injury in children. They can also result from falling onto hard surfaces, or getting hit by equipment, or getting stuck in equipment.

According to the AAP study, arm injuries accounted for 10% of all playground injuries in children under the age of 10. Of those arm injuries, 33% were fractures or dislocations.

Hand Doctors’ Tips for Preventing Playground Injuries

Here are some tips that parents can use to help prevent playground injuries of children’s fingers, hand, wrist, and arm:

Parents should always supervise their children while they are playing on the playground. This means keeping an eye on them and making sure they are using the equipment safely and properly. Parents should also teach their children to ask for help if they need it.

Before allowing their children to play on the playground equipment, parents should check it for any signs of damage or wear and tear. They should also check to make sure that the equipment is age-appropriate for their child.

Parents should teach their children how to properly use the equipment on the playground. They should demonstrate how to use the equipment safely and explain the potential dangers of improper use – such as jumping from heights, pushing, shoving, swinging too high, or going backwards up or down slides.

Parents should dress their children in appropriate clothing and footwear for the playground. Loose clothing, hoodie laces, jewelry (especially necklaces and bracelets) or shoes with untied laces can get caught in equipment and cause injuries.

Parents should ensure that their children follow the rules posted on the playground – including age and height restrictions for the equipment. These rules are in place to ensure the safety of all children using the equipment. And parents should ensure that their children stay hydrated while playing on the playground. They should bring water or other fluids to prevent dehydration, which can cause dizziness and increase the risk of falls and other injuries.

Top Hand Doctor | Rochester Hills Area

By following these tips, parents can help prevent playground injuries to their children’s fingers, hand, wrist, and arm.

Rochester Hills Hand Doctor: 248.335.2638