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Medical Author:

John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP

John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP

John P. Cunha, DO, is a U.S. board-certified Emergency Medicine Physician. Dr. Cunha's educational background includes a BS in Biology from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, and a DO from the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences in Kansas City, MO. He completed residency training in Emergency Medicine at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, New Jersey.

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Medical Editor:

Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP

Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP

Dr. Balentine received his undergraduate degree from McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland. He attended medical school at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine graduating in1983. He completed his internship at St. Joseph's Hospital in Philadelphia and his Emergency Medicine residency at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center in the Bronx, where he served as chief resident.

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Broken Hand Prevention

The vast majority of injuries can be prevented.

• To prevent hand injuries on the job :
  • Look for hand hazards before an accident can happen.
  • Don't use your hands to wipe away debris in a machine; use a brush that is designed for that purpose.
  • Check your equipment and machinery before you start and after you finish. Be sure that it is in good operating condition.
  • Before you repair or clean machinery, be sure that the power is disconnected and follow all safety procedures.
  • Do not wear jewelry, or loose clothing when working near a machine with moving parts.
  • Wear the correct protective equipment-gloves, guards, forearm cuffs-for the work you are doing.
  • Be sure your gloves fit properly and are meant for the work you are doing.
• Use appropriate safety equipment while playing sports to prevent or limit the extent of fractures.
• Hand and wrist guards are appropriate when playing certain sports (rollerblading, lacrosse, hockey).
• Sports that involve a ball (football, basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball) are more likely to cause hand injuries. Take special care when playing these games.
• Practice household safety measures, especially with small children, to decrease the chances of all injuries, including those to the hands.
• Get timely medical evaluation and treatment to prevent the long-term disability of a hand injury.
• Avoid using your hands to punch, hit, or pound any objects in anger. Many injuries to the hands are self-inflicted in this manner.