Citation

Lehrer MS, Bozentka DJ, Partington MT, Lee B, Osterman AL. J. Trauma 1997; 43(1): 100-102.

Affiliation

University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1997, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

9253916

Abstract

METHODS: This is a 5-year retrospective review of hand injuries caused by exercise bicycles among 34 children. RESULTS: Mean age was 3 years and 5 months. Accidents were caused most commonly by impingement of the fingers between the chain and sprocket wheel (77%), but injuries caused by spinning wheel spokes (23%) were generally more severe. Injuries were usually of the avulsion type and ranged in severity from lacerations (43%) to fractures (19%) to amputations (38%). The central digits (87%) were involved more frequently than the border digits (13%). Replantation was possible for 33% of the amputated digits, with 50% of the fingers surviving. CONCLUSION: The avulsive nature of these injuries should be taken into consideration when attempting replantation. Increased community awareness and equipment safety modifications are needed to eliminate this preventable problem.