Bike Spoke Injuries of the Hand: Clinical Characteristics, Knowledge Patterns, and Functional Outcomes

Introduction: Bike spoke hand injuries, particularly those occurring during cleaning or maintenance, represent a significant yet under-reported subset of hand trauma. These injuries often result in complex soft tissue damage, fractures, and neurovascular compromise, leading to substantial functional impairment. This study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of bike spoke hand injuries, focusing on their epidemiology, mechanisms, clinical presentation, and management strategies. Materials & Methods: We conducted a single-center observational study of 15 consecutive patients with bike spoke/chain-sprocket hand injuries. Demography, injury pattern, treatment, hospital stay, 6‑month outcomes, and patient knowledge sources were recorded using a standardized proforma. Results: Patients were all male, median age 28 years; 93.3% amputations were distal to the DIP joint; thumb (66.7%) and index (40.0%) were frequently affected; 60% had radiographic fractures. Primary closure/nail-bed repair (53.3%) and debridement/dressings (33.3%) predominated. At 6 months, 53.3% had excellent and 40.0% good outcomes (mean stay 2.9±1.2 days). Conclusion: Bike spoke hand injuries during cleaning are severe and complex and produced predominantly distal amputations. Prevention through increased awareness and safety measures is paramount.