DIY injuries: do-it-yourself workers and pet owners creating horrific hand injuries epidemic | photos

Overconfident DIYers and rookie pet owners are creating a serious hand injuries epidemic, health authorities have warned.

This Sydney Hospital patient suffered an injury while using a circular saw. Picture: supplied

Overconfident DIYers and rookie pet owners are creating a serious hand injuries epidemic, health authorities have warned.

Hospitals, GPs and clinics are witnessing exponential growth in the presentation of significant hand injuries, with errant power tools and over eager dog owners the leading victims, the majority in incidents that can be easily avoided.

Clinical Nurse Consultant Kay Maddison Clinical Nurse Consultant, checks the wound of a patient who suffered a power saw injury to his hand. Picture: Monique Harmer

The incidence of patients with hand injuries presenting at clinics due to do-it-yourself mishaps at home has risen by around 70 per cent over the past five years, a leading clinical nurse has estimated.

While patients visiting hand clinics with dog bites has risen by around 50 per cent over the same period.

It’s a largely preventable but mostly silent surge in serious injuries, health authorities are desperately keen to reverse.

Whole of hand X-ray of Sydney Hospital patient who suffered an injury while using a circular saw. Picture: supplied

“We see it all: severed fingers, amputated fingers, deep lacerations, soft tissue injuries, broken bones, tendon injuries and they can all take a long time to heal,” Kay Maddison, Clinical Nurse Consultant for Hand Surgery at the Sydney Hospital and Sydney Eye Hospital said.

“There is the trauma of the accident and the injury itself but it’s more than just that. There is the micro surgery, the hours of delicate surgery, that in the worst cases can mean amputated or partially amputated hands or fingers.

A severed thumb courtesy of a circular saw. Picture: supplied

“In many cases, immobilisation and therapy are needed. Patients might not be able to use the injured finger or hand for weeks, even months and they might never have the same functionality again.”

Ms Maddison, who has held her current job for 13 years, said the majority of injuries were caused when those using powertools were rushing the job and/or lost concentration.

In other common cases, pet owners might try to unwisely intervene in a dogfight and suffer unintended consequences.

Dr Blaise Wardle examines X-rays from an angle grinder injury. Picture: Monique Harmer

“We see an awful lot of DIY,” she said

“And it is usually the same messaging coming through: ‘I wasn’t thinking about what I was doing. I didn’t prepare properly. I was distracted. I was rushing ...’

“It can happen in a split second but can have long lasting consequences. It can cost you money through medical bills and time off work. It could cost you your business if perhaps you’re self employed. It can have significant impact not only on your physical health but your mental health as well.

Fireman Daniel Spooner, 46, from Sutherland almost cut his finger off while doing some minor DIY renovations at home. Picture: Supplied

“With an injury like this, everything can come crashing down. We take our hands for granted, until they are injured.”

Fireman Daniel Spooner, 46, from Sutherland almost cut his finger off while doing some minor DIY renovations at home. He was rushing the work because he had to pick his daughter up from school and didn’t turn off his drop saw before beginning to pack up.

He accidentally leant on the trigger and the saw sliced through his finger.

“I just wasn’t concentrating on what I was doing,” he said.

“I cut corners because of time restrictions. It was a lack of preparation and awareness.

Another DIY injury. Picture: supplied

Another saw injury. Picture: supplied

“It was that simple. Something that would have taken 30 seconds or a minute costs me months. Not to mention the accident itself, there was blood everywhere and it was traumatic for the whole family.”

Mr Spooner had the top knuckle on his pinkie finger fused and has lost 30 per cent range of motion and strength and was put on restricted duties following the accident.

“The impact has been long lasting. I was terrified of a drop saw for a time,” he said.

“I had to leave the room when someone was operating one. I had to take a lot of time away from the kids. I couldn’t coach their sport teams.

This patient severed three fingers while using a lawnmower. Picture: Supplied

“I couldn’t go back on the fire truck. Even something as simple as opening a jar. I just can’t do it sometimes. I have lost a lot of strength.

“Hopefully most of it will come back.”

According to data from the Sydney Hospital and Sydney Eye Hospital: in 2020, there were almost 12,300 appointments attended at their Hand Clinic at Sydney/Sydney Eye Hospital.

The severed fingers of a patient who suffered a circula saw injury. Picture: supplied

Of the more than 2,780 surgeries performed (around eight a day), over 70 per cent were required due to trauma or serious hand injury.

Originally published as DIY injuries: do-it-yourself workers and pet owners creating horrific hand injuries epidemic | photos