Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate family, gratitude, and, of course, a delicious feast. While carving your turkey this holiday, it’s important to prioritize safety to avoid hand injuries that can put a damper on your festivities. Did you know that many people suffer serious hand injuries each year while carving their turkey? Fortunately, these injuries are preventable with a few simple precautions.
Turkey Carving Safety Tips:
Never cut toward yourself
Always carve away from your body and keep your free hand opposite the direction you’re cutting.
Keep knife handles and your work area dry
Slippery surfaces increase the risk of accidents. Ensure your cutting area is well-lit for added safety.
Use sharp knives
A sharp knife reduces the need for force, which can lead to slips. Dull knives may seem safer, but they’re more prone to causing injuries.
Try an electric knife
Tools like an electric knife can make carving meat like turkey and ham easier and safer.
Use kitchen shears
Kitchen shears are safer for cutting through bones instead of a knife because of their design and functionality, which offer more control, stability, and leverage.
If an Injury Happens
Even with the best intentions and precautions, accidents can still occur. Turkey carving often involves sharp tools and repetitive hand movements, increasing the risk of injury. Knowing when to seek medical attention can make all the difference in preventing complications and ensuring your hand heals properly.
When to Visit the Emergency Room
Bleeding does not stop after 15 minutes of continuous pressure
If you are unable to control bleeding with firm, direct pressure applied to the wound, it may indicate that a major blood vessel has been damaged. Deep cuts can sever arteries or veins, which not only leads to excessive blood loss but also poses a risk of infection. Emergency treatment is required to properly close the wound and restore blood flow.
You are unsure of your tetanus immunization status
Cuts and puncture wounds can expose your body to bacteria, including Clostridium tetani, which causes tetanus. This rare but serious condition can result in muscle stiffness, spasms, and difficulty breathing if untreated. If your tetanus vaccine isn’t up to date or you aren’t sure when you last had one, a healthcare provider can administer a booster shot to protect you.
You cannot thoroughly clean the wound
If dirt, food particles, or other debris remain embedded in the wound, the risk of infection increases significantly. Deep or jagged wounds that are difficult to clean thoroughly may require professional cleaning and antibiotic treatment to prevent conditions such as cellulitis or even systemic infections like sepsis.
When to Visit an Orthopedic Hand Specialist
You experience persistent numbness or tingling in the fingertip
Persistent tingling or numbness could indicate nerve damage, which may affect the sensation or dexterity in your hand. Nerves are delicate structures that can be partially or completely severed in deep cuts. Prompt evaluation by a hand specialist is essential to assess the extent of the damage and determine whether surgical repair is needed. Early intervention improves the chances of restoring full function and avoiding long-term complications like chronic pain or loss of sensation.
You have difficulty moving or bending your fingers
Limited mobility can be a sign of an extensor tendon laceration, a flexor tendon laceration, or a muscle injury. Tendons are responsible for the movement of your fingers, and damage to these structures can impair your ability to grip, hold, or perform fine motor tasks. An orthopedic hand specialist like Dr. Donnelly can perform a thorough examination and, if necessary, repair the injured tendon to restore proper movement.
Why Timely Treatment Matters
Hand injuries are complex and can have long-lasting consequences if not treated appropriately. Untreated or improperly treated cuts can lead to chronic pain, stiffness, loss of function, or even permanent disability. While minor injuries may heal on their own, more severe cases often require the expertise of a specialist to ensure optimal healing and prevent complications.
Dr. Donnelly is dedicated to providing expert care for hand injuries. From emergency evaluations to specialized surgical procedures, you can trust him to help you regain full use of your hand and get back to enjoying life. Contact Dr. Donnelly’s office to schedule an appointment today.
For a detailed guide on turkey-carving safety, visit The American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Wishing you and your family a safe, joyful, and injury-free Thanksgiving!
About Dr. Brandon P. Donnelly, MD
Dr. Brandon P. Donnelly is a board certified orthopedic hand specialist with Pontchartrain Orthopedics & Sports Medicine. Dr. Donnelly completed his hand and microsurgery fellowship at the prestigious Philadelphia Hand to Shoulder Center. Dr. Donnelly treats all ages of patients in the greater New Orleans area for hand, wrist, and elbow conditions. This site is not intended to and does not provide medical advice, professional diagnosis, opinion, treatment or services to you or to any other individual. Through this website and links to other websites, Brandon P. Donnelly, MD provides general information for educational purposes only. The content provided in this website and links, is not a substitute for medical care or treatment. You should not use this information in place of a consultation or the advice of your healthcare provider. Brandon P. Donnelly, MD is not liable or responsible for any advice, course of treatment, diagnosis or any other information, services or product you obtain through this site.