The Hand and Wrist

Dylan Smith Stephanie CurtisLaura 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:

PregnancyRheumatoid ArthritisDiabetesWrist fractureAlcoholism

TreatmentWrist splintAnti-inflammatory

medicationCortisone injectionSurgery

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6GMbPjF8Es

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.