Multi-staged management of a mangled, exploded hand crush injury with long-term outcome: the critical link between surgery and therapy

Abstract

A 38-year-old right-hand dominant man sustained a severe, work-related left-hand crushing injury. A multi-staged approach to salvage was employed in conjunction with aggressive hand therapy involvement for a successful, functional outcome. Now at approximately 5 years postinjury, the patient can perform daily activities, coaches sports and has returned to and maintained his full-time work position. Mangled, severe hand crush injuries warrant immediate treatment to debride non-salvageable tissues, stabilise and revascularise the hand in an effort to maximise reconstructive potential and functional capacity. It is critical to recognise that these cases require multiple stages of operative reconstruction with direct and ongoing involvement of hand therapy and pending degree of injury, rehabilitation often lasting months to years.