It is difficult to imagine having to talk about staying injury-free during the holidays. After all, these are the times that are meant to be merry and bright, complete with plenty of holiday decorations, presents, and, of course, time spent with family and friends. Unfortunately, holiday hand injuries happen more often than you might think. From chores that include hanging twinkling lights on a two-story house to cutting wrapping paper for a pile of gifts and carving the perfect turkey, it does not take much for an accident to turn festive fun into a painful setback. The next thing you or a loved one knows, you are spending part of the season in the emergency room or an orthopedic surgeon’s office because of what amounted to a preventable hand or wrist injury.
That is where your friendly local team of hand doctors at Fort Worth Hand Center wants to step in—not to dampen your holiday spirit, but to help you protect the hands that make it all possible. We literally use our hands for everything year-round—and we are expected to use them even more this holiday season. With that in mind, a little extra caution goes a long way toward keeping you safe while decorating, cooking, and wrapping gifts.
Remember, your hands and wrists are involved in nearly every joyful task of the season—from baking cookies to tying ribbons—and they deserve a little TLC, too.
Imagine Your Holidays Being Dampened By These Holiday Hand Injuries
- Torn tendons and ligaments
- Fractures, dislocations, and separations
- Lacerations and puncture wounds
- Burns
- Crushing injuries
- Sprains and strains
- Tendonitis from overuse injuries
- Arthritis flare-ups
Holiday Hand Injuries are More Common Than You Think
In case you did not know, musculoskeletal pain is a primary reason people visit their doctors each year. That includes hand injuries, which, unfortunately, do not slow down during the holidays. If anything, there’s an occasional uptick in unforeseen accidents. Nearly 30% of Americans who celebrate winter holidays say they have been injured while participating in holiday-related activities, according to a 2022 ValuePenguin survey. More recently, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission stated that about 160 Christmas decorating-related injuries occur each day during the holiday season, with nearly half of those involving falls. The article did not specify the types of injuries those falls caused, but the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has stated numerous times over the years that hand injuries are often caused by falls from ladders and by sharp objects like knives and scissors used for cooking and wrapping presents.
Nearly 30% of Americans who celebrate winter holidays say they have been injured while participating in holiday-related activities, according to a 2022 ValuePenguin survey.
Whether you are decorating your home, cooking up a feast, or wrapping gifts for a loved one, this is the time of year when hand injuries are very common.
According to an AARP article, these are some of the surprising ways you could end up with holiday hand injuries:
- Tripping on toys, cords, wrapping paper, or other hazards
- Getting cut while opening a gift, trimming a tree, or slicing a turkey, roast, or ham
- Handling broken (and sharp) ornaments
- Hand and wrist strains and sprains from carrying heavy objects
- Falls from a ladder or step stool while decorating
How To Avoid Holiday Hand Injuries This Holiday Season
Decorate Indoors and Outdoors Safely
Holiday decorating can be surprisingly hazardous for your hands. Falls from ladders and roofs are among the most common holiday-related ER visits. Hanging outdoor lights, trimming the tree, or carrying boxes of decorations all increase the risk for hand and wrist fractures. Here are a few safety tips to consider:
- Always use a sturdy, dry ladder on level ground; check ladders for broken hinges, loose screws, etc.
- Never climb higher than the third rung from the top
- Keep both hands free when possible; use a tool belt or helper to hand you decorations
- Bend at your knees when lifting heavy boxes, and use both hands to lift evenly
- Wear gloves with a good grip
- Avoid decorating during windy or wet conditions; slick surfaces lead to falls
- If you do fall, try not to extend your hands to “catch” yourself. FOOSH injuries (falls on outstretched hands) are a leading cause of wrist sprains and fractures during the holidays.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission stated that about 160 Christmas decorating-related injuries occur each day during the holiday season, with nearly half of those involving falls.
Kitchen and Cooking Safety
The kitchen is a natural danger zone for holiday hand injuries, ranging from lacerations to burns and even fractures due to slips and falls on wet floors. Turkey carving, chopping vegetables, and festive baking often lead to cuts, burns, or even tendon and nerve injuries. Here are a few safety tips for the kitchen.
- Keep knives sharp; dull blades are more likely to slip and lead to accidents
- Always carve meat on a stable surface and cut away from your body
- Do not allow young children to carve, cut, or chop anything
- Speaking of cutting, minimize distractions while cutting anything
- Unplug blenders or food processors before reaching inside
- Use oven mitts with a good grip
- Take breaks to stretch your wrists and fingers
Gift-Wrapping and Unwrapping
Everyone loves giving and receiving presents, and one of the first things most of us should do is wrap them. After all, that is where the holiday surprises come into play. That said, you’d be surprised how many times we see patients who were injured by scissors, box cutters, and even broken ornaments. Here are a few safety tips to consider:
- Use scissors and craft knives slowly and on a stable surface
- Do not wrap gifts on the floor
- Sweep up broken glass or ornaments immediately
- Teach kids to ask for help when dealing with tough packaging
Lifting and Carrying Heavy Boxes
People experience wrist and holiday hand injuries when they get too fixated on the joy of the holiday season and forget that carrying boxes upon boxes of decorations, supplies, and gifts can lead to minor strains and sprains. Even if you do not technically “injure” yourself, you could exacerbate an existing issue with tendonitis or carpal tunnel syndrome. Here are a few safety tips to consider:
- Do not try to carry everything in one trip; take more trips and carry less
- If possible, use a dolly or rolling cart to help with carrying heavy loads
- Keep items close to your body when lifting.
- Alternate hands to prevent overuse injuries.
- Ask for help; four hands are always better than two
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has stated numerous times over the years that hand injuries are often caused by falls from ladders and by sharp objects like knives and scissors used for cooking and wrapping presents.
When to Seek Help for Holiday Hand Injuries
If you are lucky, your holiday hand injuries could be very minor and be handled with a few bandages and a bag of ice. That said, it is important not to underestimate injuries. Those that seem small and manageable can worsen quickly—especially if you try to “shake it off” and continue doing whatever activities that led to the injury.
You should see a hand and wrist specialist if you begin to experience persistent pain, swelling, and even numbness in your wrist, hand, or fingers. If you cannot move your fingers, hands, or wrist after a slip and fall, you notice a visible deformity, or you are dealing with a severe laceration that could involve tendons or nerves, you may have suffered a fracture and should absolutely visit an orthopedic surgeon right away.
If you experience a hand or wrist injury this holiday season, do not wait to get it checked. Prompt evaluation prevents long-term complications and ensures timely hand surgery for optimal recovery.
Fort Worth Hand Center Wishes You a Pain-Free Holiday Season
No one expects to deal with holiday hand injuries. It is just something none of us think about, even when we are climbing ladders to hang lights or working hard in the kitchen to piece together the perfect feast for family and friends. Sadly, the holiday season isn’t immune to injuries. They happen more often than you think, and when they do, it is important to know exactly who to call for help. Whether you are dealing with a fresh injury or lingering pain that hasn’t gone away, the experienced orthopedic surgical team at Fort Worth Hand Center is here to help. We specialize in accurate diagnoses, personalized treatment plans, and long-term recovery strategies for all wrist, finger and hand injuries.
From the fingertips to the elbow, the Fort Worth Hand Center physicians treat a wide range of conditions. Many times, these ailments do not improve on their own and require skilled medical help from someone who truly understands your situation and how muscles, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage function. Our team of orthopedic surgeons at Fort Worth Hand Center is here to help when you need it most.
Our surgeons are specialists in treating chronic conditions and traumatic injuries, as well as performing state-of-the-art complex microscopic nerve repairs and tendon transfers. However, before any of that happens, our goal is to conduct a thorough examination to determine the best course of action. Sometimes, it may be surgery. Other times, a more conservative approach is better.
If surgery is your best treatment, our orthopedic physicians operate in state-of-the-art, accredited surgery centers. To schedule an appointment, call 817-877-3277 or complete the form below.
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This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Before starting any new treatment or if you have questions regarding a medical condition, always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health provider.
Fort Worth Hand Center serves the DFW area, including Arlington, Azle, Bedford, Benbrook, Blue Mound, Burleson, Colleyville, Crowley, Dallas, Dalworthington Gardens, Edgecliff Village, Euless, Everman, Flower Mound, Forest Hill, Fort Worth, Grand Prairie, Grapevine, Haltom City, Haslet, Hurst, Keller, Kennedale, Lakeside, Lake Worth, Mansfield, Newark, North Richland Hills, Pantego, Pelican Bay, Richland Hills, River Oaks, Saginaw, Sansom Park, Southlake, Trophy Club, Watauga, Westlake, Westover Hills, Westworth Village, White Settlement, and all of North Texas.
*Patient names and/or photos may be changed to protect patient confidentiality.