A man was severely injured by metal fragments from an exploded bearing unit and made a misguided attempt to remove the shards with a strong magnet, which only worsened his condition.
The incident took place on June 23, 2024, when the bearing unit malfunctioned, causing metal fragments to strike the victim, identified as Jiang (name changed), in the thigh. Despite experiencing intense pain and discovering multiple wounds of varying sizes on the inside of his thigh, Jiang opted not to seek immediate medical attention. Instead, he requested a strong magnet from his colleagues in an attempt to extract the metal fragments himself. This improvised method proved unsuccessful and exacerbated his injuries.
Upon seeking medical help at Puren Hospital in Wuhan, Jiang was found to have four dense foreign bodies embedded in the soft tissue of his right thigh and knee. The hospital’s microsurgery department promptly admitted him for urgent treatment.
Dr. Peng Hanshu, head of the department, explained the potential dangers of leaving metal fragments embedded in muscle tissue. “The long-term presence of metal in the muscles can lead to chronic inflammation, scarring, and impaired muscle function. If left untreated, these fragments can damage blood vessels and nerves, leading to serious complications such as bleeding, severe pain, and even paralysis. Infection from these foreign bodies can also result in life-threatening sepsis,” Dr. Peng warned.
He emphasized the critical importance of seeking immediate medical care in such situations, noting that any attempts to remove foreign objects independently often lead to further harm. During surgery, four metal fragments were successfully removed from Jiang’s knee and hip. The medical team also worked to repair the damaged muscles, tendons, and nerves. Jiang’s condition is now stable, and he is expected to recover fully.
Dr. Peng also issued a stern warning against using strong magnets for the removal of metal fragments, stating that the elasticity of skin and muscle tissue causes the entry points of foreign bodies to close quickly. Attempts to extract these fragments magnetically can result in additional muscle damage. He further advised employers to ensure that workers in hazardous environments are equipped with appropriate protective gear and that all equipment is regularly inspected and maintained to prevent such incidents. In the event of an injury, prompt medical attention is crucial to avoid serious complications.
