Emergencies

You've injured yourself and may require emergency care. The physicians at Hand Surgery Associates, P.C., are on call twenty-four hours a day at a variety of metro Denver hospitals. Regardless of your hand or upper extremity injury, we can assess your condition and prescribe the appropriate treatment. Please note that the below first aid advice does not take the place of a qualified medical professional in the case of an emergency. If you are injured, contact 911 immediately.

I've burned my hand and/or arm. What should I do?

Put the injured area under water for about fifteen minutes. Do not apply any lotions or other products on the area. Apply a clean compress or bandage to the burn and seek medical attention. Do not apply ice to the burn, as it may further damage tissues, and do not break any blisters as this could lead to infection.

I've chopped off part of my finger! Now what?

Gather the fragment and place in a waterproof plastic bag, which should then be placed on ice. DO NOT ALLOW THE FRAGMENT TO COME IN DIRECT CONTACT WITH ICE. Cover the injured finger with a bandage. Do not use a tourniquet. Elevate the arm and seek medical attention immediately. Do not throw away any fragments that may look destroyed or useless. Your physician may utilize those items that are still intact.

My arm may be broken. What should I do?

Stabilize the arm by using a towel or a rolled newspaper as a sling. Apply ice to the injured area as this will assist with pain and swelling. Seek medical attention immediately, as ALL fractures and possible fractures require treatment. If your fracture has not broken the skin, otherwise known as a closed or simple fracture, you may only require a sling, splint or partial cast depending on the severity of the break. If your fracture has broken the skin, known as an open or compound fracture, you may require casting, fixation, or admission to the hospital, depending on the severity of the fracture.

I've been bitten by a dog/cat/human. What should I do?

Bites may not look like a bad injury, but mouths are often filled with germs and other bacteria that can quickly cause a serious infection. In the case of a bite wound, rinse and wash the injury in running water, elevate the injured area, and seek professional medical attention immediately. Also note the type of bite that you have sustained and the type of animal that it came from, as your physician will use this information to determine the need for anti-rabies vaccinations.

I've got a piece of glass stuck in my hand. Now what?

The only splinters that you should remove yourself are those that can be firmly grasped and gently removed from your hand. Anything that is deep or has broken off must be removed by a professional. Most deep splinters will become infected if left alone, simply because the wound is kept open by the splinter. Wash the wound, cover it with a bandage, and seek medical attention.