Thanksgiving Day is full of distractions – parades and sports on TV, children playing, relatives embracing and delicious drinks and appetizers ahead of the big feast. But don’t let the flurry of activity distract you when it comes time to carving your turkeys, hams and other holiday meats!
Too often, according to Dr. Anna Muzio, orthopaedic surgeon, at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s Orthopaedic Care Unit, patients come into the emergency room who have preventable accidents while using knives on Thanksgiving and other big holidays. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, hundreds of thousands of people are injured by knives each year.
Tips for carving meat safely
· Be of sound mind and free of distractions when carving meats. Avoid consuming alcohol or doing other tasks like watching your children or preparing a side dish.
· Make sure your knife blades are sharp. A dull knife is more difficult to use, which could lead to increased strain and opportunity for injury.
· Never cut toward yourself. This prevents the possibility of injury to all areas of your body.
· Keep the hand you are not carving with away from the cutting field. Use a fork or other carving utensil to help hold the turkey while you operate the knife.
· Make sure your cutting surface is clean, dry and flat. This will help you avoid slips and excess movements.
· Don’t have children help with carving. Even though kids are excited and may want to help, find other ways for them to get involved, such as setting the table or greeting guests as they arrive.
What to do when things go wrong
Injuries to the tendons in the hands are common if improper safety measures are used when carving meats, Dr. Muzio said. Because skin is thin and knife blades are sharp, it is easy to damage the extensor tendons on the topside of the hand or the flexor tendons on the bottom of the hand, she noted.
Occasionally, these accidents can be so severe that bones and nerves are damaged, Dr. Muzio said. These types of injuries require major surgery and rehabilitation. Don’t rush through meat carving or the injuries you sustain may result in limited function during the weeks and months ahead.
If an injury happens, provide immediate first aid at home by washing the injury with soap and water and applying moist paper towels, the surgeon added. Elevating the hand higher than the level of your heart and applying gentle pressure can also help to slow down bleeding. If the bleeding doesn’t stop after a few minutes or if you are unable to bend or straighten your fingers, please visit your nearest emergency room to get evaluated immediately, Dr. Muzio said. You may require a specialty evaluation with a hand surgeon for a potential surgery.
For more information about UPMC Orthopaedic Care in Chambersburg, Shippensburg, Carlisle, Enola, Mechanicsburg, Hershey, Lebanon, and new offices in Lititz and Lewisberry, visit UPMC.com/CentralPAOrtho. Dr. Anna Muzio is an orthopaedic surgeon specializing in upper extremity surgery with UPMC Orthopaedic Care.
