03 Dec When a Minor Pinch Becomes Serious: How Finger Pinch Guards Prevent Long-Term Injuries
Trapping a finger in a door may seem like a simple accident, but it’s very serious business indeed. The sheer force of a closing door – particularly those that are heavy or self-closing – is often underestimated, yet wandering hands and fingers that get in the way are subjected to the most brutal pain.
The effects of finger entrapment go beyond initial bruising or swelling. In many cases, finger entrapment can lead to serious, long-term injuries, with bones, tendons, ligaments and nerves all feeling the squeeze. Read on to discover more about the long term consequences experienced by so many following finger crushing – and the solution that could help!
Permanent damage to nerves
The sensory nerves that play vital roles in facilitating touch, temperature regulation and the transmission of pain signals are more delicate than you might think.
When you trap your fingers or hand in a door, these nerves can become severed or compressed, and even after skin healing, the damage remains. The neuropathic effects that follow have the potential to impact everyday life, here Southeast Pain and Spine Care explains how:
“Neuropathy can make it difficult to walk, balance, or perform basic tasks, such as getting dressed or bathing, which can lead to a loss of independence and mobility… The pain and discomfort associated with neuropathy can make it challenging to sleep, work, or engage in social activities… Neuropathy can make it difficult to perform certain job-related tasks, which can lead to reduced productivity, job loss, or the need to change careers.”
Alongside chronic numbness, hypersensitivity and shooting pains, damaged nerves can send persistent pain signals to the brain for months or even years after the initial injury.
Scarred tendons and ligaments
The tendons and ligaments that are integral to helping the fingers perform the simplest of tasks can also be put at risk during finger entrapment. From partial tears to longer term scarring, damage can have distressing results, with the consequences of entrapment often felt more over time if scar tissue forms.
One such effect is a condition known as ‘trigger finger’. This is when the natural gliding motion of the tendon isn’t so smooth and causes the affected digit to lock, click or catch. Trigger finger or the permanent loss of fine motor control can severely impair a person’s ability to type, grip and button up clothing amongst other things.
Stunted growth and deformities
The vast majority of door finger injuries happen in childhood either within the home or at school, and the affected children are particularly vulnerable to long term health issues. With little bodies still growing, a door crush incident can be devastating.
Should a child’s growth plate become fractured, the future shape and length of the finger and nail could be affected. Deformities, uneven growth and inflammation are all common, especially if the injuries aren’t treated correctly. Adults don’t fare much better, with even small breaks triggering joint stiffness or early-onset arthritis.
Pain that spreads beyond the fingers
While extremely rare, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a hugely debilitating condition and one of the more serious long-term complications of finger entrapment.
CRPS is when the body’s pain response becomes abnormally out of proportion following the trauma of the initial injury. Pain can be felt outside the affected area to cause skin colour changes, sensitivity and swelling on a much bigger scale.
Door finger injuries – more than just physical
Door finger injuries no doubt take their toll on the body, but they also cause psychological pain. The affected individuals can become frustrated or anxious, especially if they go on to experience long term pain, deformity or reduced function. Finger injuries can trigger confidence loss to impact every area of life. The trauma can lead to a lasting fear of doors in children too.
How finger pinch guards can help
As small devices that prevent big accidents, our finger pinch guards don’t just reduce the risk of entrapment, they stop door-related accidents completely. Their innovative design actively ejects fingers from the danger zones to prevent trapping, protecting individuals of all ages from devastating consequences that could last a lifetime.
Ready to find out more about how our finger pinch guards can help? Browse our latest brochure for further details or contact our team to discuss your requirements.
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.