Thousands hurt holding dog leads the wrong way
Surgeons have warned that many owners are suffering serious hand injuries because they are holding their pets’ leads incorrectly.
Experts at the British Society for Surgery of the Hand say they are regularly having to treat the fractures, lacerations and dislocated fingers of patients who have been injured while walking their dogs.
A single hospital – Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS trust – treated 30 serious hand injuries caused by ‘dog lead or collar misuse’ in just one year, the society reports.
they believe thousands of others across the UK are experiencing similar serious injuries.
Around 12million people in the UK – a quarter of the the adult population – own a dog.
Consultant surgeon Rebecca Dunlop, of the Society, said: ‘Dogs have a wide range of health benefits for their owners, including reducing stress and helping people stay active.
‘But having seen many serious injuries caused by dog leads and collars, I want dog lovers to be aware of the simple steps they can take to avoid severe damage to their hand. We want to ensure that dog owners are able to carry on enjoying time with their dogs without risking damage to their hand and time in hospital.’
Surgeons advise that dog owners should not wrap the lead around their wrists, hands or fingers, or hook their fingers under the dog’s collar.
Mrs Dunlop, who is a hand specialist at the Duchy Hospital in truro, Cornwall, said this can lead to hand injuries if a dog makes a sudden movement.
She added: ‘One particularly common injury caused by dog collars and leads is spiral fractures of the finger bones, which often need an operation to fix.’
these types of accidents can cause swelling that, even with expert medical care, can lead to long-term stiffness and limit a patient’s use of their hand.
Mrs Dunlop said: ‘Long-term hand damage can also be caused when people dislocate their fingers by hooking them under their dogs collar before the dog lurches or makes a sudden movement.
Other common dog owner injuries include friction burns and tissue from the loss collar, caused which by abrasions can leave a patient with scars or even a shortened finger.
those who suffer these injuries often have to take time off work as well – leading to a loss of earnings. Mrs Dunlop said more serious injuries tend to require up to six weeks off work and even a year of rehabilitation after any initial surgery. She added that even minor injuries could lead to six months’ hand therapy.
Official advice also states that dog owners shouldn’t keep large dogs on a long lead, because if they build up speed it can cause a wrenching force on the hand.
It also advises the use of retractable leads, which give dogs space to wander ahead when safe to do so, while allowing owners to shorten the lead if necessary without wrapping it around their hand. It also recommends a collar or harness with a grab handle.
Jillian tisdale, 65, suffered severe hand injuries when her retriever was distracted by another dog.
Mrs tisdale, who is a teacher for the deaf in Cornwall, said: ‘the dog started running and the lead suddenly ended up wrapped around my fingers, causing terrible pain.’
the accident caused serious damage to her right middle and index fingers –including lacerations and a dislocation.
She added: ‘the fantastic medical care I received means I’ve fortunately regained the full use of my hand – so I can enjoy playing with my eight grandchildren.’