Injuries in Small Children Associated with an Exercise Treadmill

 

Major types of injuries:

(1) abrasions and/or contusions

(2) lacerations

 

Less frequent types of injury:

(1) head trauma

(2) joint sprain

(3) fracture

(4) crush injury

(5) friction burn

(6) avulsion

(7) amputation

 

Primary sites of injury:

(1) fingers and hands

(2) wrists and forearms

(3) head

 

Less frequent sites:

(1) lower extremity

(2) trunk

 

Risk factors for injury:

(1) playing on or around the equipment

(2) trying to climb onto the treadmill while the track is in motion

(3) getting fingers caught in the mechanism, especially between the end of the belt and the rear end bar

(4) lack of parenteral supervision

(5) failure to stop the machinie immediately (stopping the treadmill immediately may not prevent injury but it will reduce severity)

(6) track moving at a high speed