Most nail gun injuries involve upper, lower limbs: study

Brisbane, Australia – Workplace nail gun injuries typically affect the non-dominant hand and other limbs, according to a new study from the Princess Alexandria Hospital.

Researchers examined the extent of 87 nail gun injuries using data from the Queensland Employee Injury Database. Most injuries involved the upper and lower limb, and resulted in 15 days off work for the worker. Almost 60 percent of the injuries needed surgery; 32 percent were treated in the emergency department, the study abstract states.

A press release from the hospital noted the force of the nail can damage the soft tissue, and severe injuries could lead to infection or septic arthritis.

The study was published online Nov. 8 in the journal Emergency Medicine Australasia.