The Hand and Wrist Dylan Smith Stephanie Curtis Laura Feehs
anatomy Random facts The hand and wrist is composed of 27 different bones Injuries most often occur to the pinkie side or fingertips Most often occur due to a direct blow or falling on the hand or wrist
symptoms of common hand fracture Swelling Bruising Pain Misalignment of the fingernails Weakness Inability to grasp Reduced range of motion of fingers
boxer’s fracture Caused by punching something Pain in the knuckles Bruising, swelling, discoloration, abnormal movement Making a fist, finger bends more towards the thumb
treatment Immobilize hand for pain relief and proper bone healing Sometimes surgery based on angulation [angle how far the bone is broken]
carpal tunnel syndrome Tingling, pain, numbness, weakness Affects thumb, index and middle finger Often worse at night Pressure on carpal tunnel irritates the median nerve
carpal tunnel syndrome Affects 5% population, mostly women Factors: Pregnancy Rheumatoid Arthritis Diabetes Wrist fracture Alcoholism Treatment Wrist splint Anti-inflammatory medication Cortisone injection Surgery Transverse carpal ligament is cut to relieve stress on median nerve
finger injuries Laceration [cut] Avulsion Amputation Fractures Dislocation Ligament Tendon
basic treatments Laceration- anti-bacterial, bandage. (for sever lacerations, stitches or staples may be required) Avulsion- (same as above) Fractures- splint, RICE, anti-inflammatory Dislocation- re-locate, RICE, anti-inflammatory, splint
interview F8Es
skier’s thumb or gamekeeper’s thumb Chronic injury to Ulnar Collateral Ligament (UCL) Generally caused during a fall, landing on an outstretched thumb Called skier’s thumb due to a skier falling with his/her thumb extended while grasping a ski pole People with rheumatoid arthritis can also experience skier’s thumb
tendon laceration Surgery required Can occur with basic skin lacerations Tendons lie just under the skin with a protective sheath. They can be cut or damaged whenever the skin is.