The wrist is a complicated joint. On the hand side of the wrist, there are two rows of bones, four bones in each row called the carpals. The long thin bones of the hand radiate out from one row of carpals and form the basis of the fingers and thumb. The radius and the ulna are the two bones of the forearm that form a joint with the first row of carpals.
The ends of the bones are covered with an elastic tissue, cartilage. Cartilage creates a slick surface that enables the bones to move smoothly when they move against each other.
HAND/WRIST
Hand fractures can occur in the small bones of the fingers (phalanges) or the long bones (metacarpals). Fractures can result from a twisting injury, a crushing injury or direct contact in sports.
Symptoms
- Swelling
- Tenderness
- Deformity
- Inability to move the finger(s)
- Shortened finger
- Depressed knuckle
Diagnostic procedures
If symptoms suggest a hand fracture, seek qualified orthopedic medical treatment. Treatment will encompass a thorough examination, which could include diagnostic procedure(s) such as range of motions tests, assessment of feeling in the fingers and X-rays in order to determine proper non-operative or operative treatment.
A finger dislocation is a joint injury where the bones are no longer aligned normally. The bones in the fingers are phalanges and metacarpal bones. Every knuckle in the hands and fingers contains a joint between two of these bones and any of these joints can be dislocated in an injury.
Symptoms
- Finger(s) crooked and swollen
- Deformed appearance
- Pain
- Unstable or weak fingers
Diagnostic procedures
If symptoms suggest finger dislocation, seek qualified orthopedic medical treatment. Treatment will encompass a thorough examination, which could include diagnostic procedure(s) such as an evaluation of joint stability, stress tests, range of motion tests, neurovascular assessment, and X-rays in order to determine proper non-operative or operative treatment.
Tendons are tissues that connect muscles to bone. The muscles that move the fingers and thumb are in the forearm. Long tendons extend from these muscles through the wrist and attach to the small bones of the fingers and thumb. The extensor tendons straighten the fingers and thumb. Swelling of the tendons results in friction and pain with certain thumb and wrist movements. Tendonitis may be caused by overuse or rheumatoid disease.
Symptoms
- Swelling on the thumb side of the wrist
- Pain in the wrist and up the forearm
- A snapping sensation when moving the thumb
- Difficulty moving thumb and wrist
Diagnostic procedures
If symptoms suggest tendonitis, seek qualified orthopedic medical treatment. Treatment will encompass a thorough examination, which could include diagnostic procedure(s) such as range of motions tests, assessment of movement in the thumb, wrist and fingers, and X-rays in order to determine proper non-operative or operative treatment.
The carpal tunnel is a narrow passageway in the wrist. Small wrist bones called carpal bones form the floor and sides of the tunnel. Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when one of the major nerves, the median nerve, to the hand is compressed as it travels through the wrist. The median nerve provides feeling in the thumb, index, middle and ring fingers. The flexor tendons that bend the fingers and thumb also travel through the carpal tunnel. If the tendons swell, they put pressure on the median nerve and the swelling takes up space in the tunnel, crowding the nerve. The abnormal pressure on the nerve can result in pain and weakness.
Symptoms
- Night pain or aching
- Numbness, tingling and pain in the hand
- Pain in the forearm that may travel toward the shoulder
- A feeling of electric shock in the fingers or hand
Diagnostic procedures
If symptoms suggest carpal tunnel syndrome, seek qualified orthopedic medical treatment. Treatment will encompass a thorough examination, which could include diagnostic procedure(s) such as wrist and finger range of motion tests, fingertip sensitivity test, muscle weakness evaluation, and electrophysiological tests, EMG, an ultrasound, X-rays, and MRI in order to determine proper non-operative or operative treatment.Hand & Wrist Related Blog Posts:
