Pediatric Hand Friction Burns from Treadmill Contact

Abstract

Background Treadmills have become relatively common in American homes. This machine can be dangerous for children because they can sustain friction burns to the hands when the moving treadmill is touched. With aggressive wound care and physical therapy, most of these burns will heal without surgery. However, some patients will require reconstructive surgery to release contractures. We report our experience with a series of patients who suffered friction burns to the hand from contact with a moving treadmill. The purpose of this study is to further understand the incidence and outcomes of this type of injury.

Paediatric injuries due to home treadmill use: an emerging problem

“…[3][4][5] The true incidence and trend of treadmill-related injuries is difficult to determine. 6 Abbas et al reviewed data from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) on exercise equipment accidents in the home. 7 There were 1,009 injuries in children aged 5 years or under from 1996 to 2000.…”

“…Hypertrophic scarring and contractures are usually evident within a relatively short time period after injury and early intervention by hand therapists can ameliorate these potential consequences. 6 Previous studies have raised the issue of delayed referral and initiation of wound care. 2,3,6 Friedrich et al noted 4 of patients were referred months or years after the initial injury and three of those required surgery for release of flexion contractures.…”

“…6 Previous studies have raised the issue of delayed referral and initiation of wound care. 2,3,6 Friedrich et al noted 4 of patients were referred months or years after the initial injury and three of those required surgery for release of flexion contractures. 6 Marshall and Lourie noted 8 of 14 patients and Maguiña et al found 4 of 10 patients were referred quite late after the initial injury and all delayed referrals developed contractures.…”

“…However, they did not mention that earlier referral and aggressive hand therapy would have prevented the scar contractures. 2,3,6 All our patients received occupational therapy early in their management. Five developed hypertrophic scarring but none required surgery for secondary contracture release.…”

Management of Treadmill Hand Injuries Using Soft Tissue Distraction

“…(7) In a study by Wong et al 47% of the patients eventually needed skin grafting (3). On the other hand, in a study done by Friedrich which consisted of 13 patients only 3 of them (23%) had undergone a surgical operation in order to release scar contracture (9); in a study done by Han the skin graft was used in 64% of the patients (4).…”