Common Injuries From Firing Guns And Recommended Treatments

While hand and arm injuries caused by firearms make up a small portion of all traumas resulted from firing guns, when they happen, the consequences are often severe. Injuries are often caused by gun mishandling. Recoil, the bullet, and the chamber are the usual culprits that damage the joints and small bones of the wrist and hand.

Here is a list of expected injuries resulted from firing guns:

Trauma – Open Wound

There have been cases where some people ill-placed their thumb when firing and ended up losing part of that finger. This is often the direct consequence of the vapors coming out from the chamber when the bullet is fired. This is a prime example of how guns can injure the complex nerve network, small bones, ligaments, and tendons of the shooter’s hands.

This is an uncommon type of injuries but should it happen to you, here is what to do. Collecting all of the remains of the separated area and bring them along to the hospital will increase the chance of a successful replantation. The wound should also be cleaned by saline or sterile. The next step is to wrap it and head to an emergency center for professional assistance.

The way the victim is treated will depend on how severe the injuries are to the bones and tissues. Antibiotics are often used as when the skin is damaged, the infection can occur.

If the bones are impacted, stabilization is needed. The next possible treatments are repairing the tendons and re-establishing the flow of blood by vein and artery repairing.

The magnitude and severity of the wounds can also determine whether the shooter can regain 100% mobility or functionality of the arm or hand after recovery.

Forceful Impact – Stress Fractures

Shooters who have to wield big-bore firearms often report issues with their shooting hand, including swelling, weakness, and pain. These health problems are often caused by the impact of recoil. In many cases, a stress fracture can follow these symptoms. This condition is often seen on athletes and runners’ lower extremity but the same thing can have an impact on the upper extremity of those who are subjected to harsh and repetitive force.

The recommended treatments, in this case, is proper rest and bracing. Rehabilitative exercises can also have a positive impact on regular shooters.

Repetitive Stress Conditions

Repetitive stress conditions consist of tennis elbow and carpal tunnel syndromes. They are often the result of doing a task repetitively for a period of time.

The treatments for these conditions are anti-inflammatory medication and rest. To quicken the healing process and treat these conditions, rehabilitation therapy is sometimes used.

Long-Term Impact

If the injuries are left unaddressed, they can change the way wounded limbs work and encourage the degeneration of the joints. The most common consequence is osteoarthritis.

Reducing Risks

The most effective way to ease the effect of shooting firearms is to schedule the practice sessions so that your arms and hands have adequate time to rest. Do strengthening exercises will also help to protect the bones and soft tissues. Investing in protective gear is also advisable.

When you have done all of the recommended treatments but the pain persists, seek medical assistance immediately to avoid suffering from long-term and hard-to-treat consequences of firing guns.