Paediatric Hand Injuries Caused by Spiked Railings

Abstract

We report five cases of hand injuries caused by spiked palisade railings. One patient sustained an open fracture of the distal phalanx with a disruption of the nail bed, and two patients had digital nerve injuries. Two patients presented with the railing still impaled in the fingers, one of whom had an ischaemic digit at presentation. All patients were male, between 9 and 12 years of age, and presented in the course of 1 month. Railings of this type would appear to be a significant cause of hand injuries, which may be prevented by legislation or a change in railing design.