Wrist / Hand

Wrist / Hand

No matter how old you are or what you do for a living, you are always using your hands. When there is something wrong with them, you may not be able to do your regular activities.


Hand problems include

Carpal tunnel syndrome - compression of a nerve as it goes through the wrist, often making your fingers feel numb

Injuries that result in fractures, ruptured ligaments and dislocations


Osteoarthritis - wear-and-tear arthritis, which can also cause deformity


Tendinitis - irritation of the tendons


Dupuytren's contracture - a hereditary thickening of the tough tissue that lies just below the skin of your palm

Trigger finger - an irritation of the sheath that surrounds the flexor tendons, sometimes causing the tendon to catch and release like a trigger


Overviews


Hand Conditions(American Society for Surgery of the Hand) - http://www.assh.org/Public/HandConditions/Pages/default.aspx


Diagnosis/Symptoms


Bone X-Ray (Radiography)(American College of Radiology, Radiological Society of North America) - http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=bonerad&bhcp=1


Also available in Spanish http://www.radiologyinfo.org/sp/info.cfm?pg=bonerad


Hand/Wrist/Arm Problems(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/tools/symptom/526.printerview.html


Treatment


Amputation and Prosthetics(American Society for Surgery of the Hand) - http://www.assh.org/Public/HandConditions/Pages/AmputationandProsthetics.aspx


Dislocation: First Aid(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/first-aid-dislocation/FA00009/METHOD=print


Hand Surgery(American Society of Plastic Surgeons) - http://www.plasticsurgery.org/Patients_and_Consumers/Procedures/Reconstructive_ProceduresHand_Surgery.html


Hand Surgery: Anesthesia(American Society for Surgery of the Hand) - http://www.assh.org/Public/HandConditions/Pages/HandSurgeryAnesthesia.aspx


Needle Aponeurotomy for Dupuytren's Disease(Cleveland Clinic Foundation) - http://my.clevelandclinic.org/disorders/hand_problems/hic_needle_aponeurotomy_for_dupuytrens_disease.aspx


Replantation(American Society for Surgery of the Hand) - http://www.assh.org/Public/HandConditions/Pages/Replantation.aspx

Tendon Transfer Surgery(American Society for Surgery of the Hand) - http://www.assh.org/Public/HandConditions/Pages/TendonTransferSurgery.aspx


Prevention/Screening


Hand Safety(American Society for Surgery of the Hand) - http://www.assh.org/Public/Safety/Pages/default.aspx


Taking Care of Your Hand, Wrist, and Elbow(American Physical Therapy Association) - Links to PDF - http://www.apta.org/AM/Images/APTAIMAGES/ContentImages/ptandbody/hand/hand.pdf


Rehabilitation/Recovery


Exercising Your Finger After an Injury(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/healthy/physical/injuries/879.printerview.html


Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/healthy/physical/injuries/879.printerview.html

Hand and Finger Exercises(Ohio State University Medical Center) - Links to PDF - http://medicalcenter.osu.edu/PatientEd/Materials/PDFDocs/exer-reh/upper/hnds-fin.pdf


Intervention for Tendon Injuries(American Occupational Therapy Association) - http://www.aota.org/Consumers/Tips/Work/Tendon/35184.aspx


Specific Conditions
Arthritis of the Hand(American Society for Surgery of the Hand, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00224


Arthritis: Metacarpophalangeal (MP) Joint(American Society for Surgery of the Hand) - http://www.assh.org/Public/HandConditions/Pages/ArthritisMPJoint.aspx


Boutonnière Deformity(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00004&return_link=0


Brachial Plexus Injury (Erb's Palsy)(American Society for Surgery of the Hand) - http://www.assh.org/Public/HandConditions/Pages/BrachialPlexus.aspx


Congenital Hand Differences(American Society for Surgery of the Hand) - http://www.assh.org/Public/HandConditions/Pages/CongenitalHandDifferences.aspx


Dupuytren's Contracture(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00008


Extensor Tendon Injuries(American Society for Surgery of the Hand) - http://www.assh.org/Public/HandConditions/Pages/ExtensorTendonInjuries.aspx


Felon(InteliHealth, Harvard Medical School) - http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtPrint/WSIHW000/9339/9989.html?hide=t&k=basePrint


Finger Dislocation(InteliHealth) - http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtPrint/WSIHW000/9339/31152.html?hide=t&k=basePrint


Fingertip Injuries/Amputations(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00014&return_link=0


Flexor Tendon Injuries(American Society for Surgery of the Hand) - http://www.assh.org/Public/HandConditions/Pages/FlexorTendonInjuries.aspx


Fracture of the Finger(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00257&return_link=0


Ganglion Cysts(American Society for Surgery of the Hand) - http://www.assh.org/Public/HandConditions/Pages/GanglionCysts.aspx


Hand Fractures(American Society for Surgery of the Hand) - http://www.assh.org/Public/HandConditions/Pages/HandFractures.aspx


Hand Infections(American Society for Surgery of the Hand) - http://www.assh.org/Public/HandConditions/Pages/HandInfections.aspx


Itchy Hands or Feet(Logical Images) - http://www.visualdxhealth.com/diseaseGroups/itchyHandsFeet.htm


Mallet Finger (Baseball Finger)(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00018


Nerve Injuries(American Society for Surgery of the Hand, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00016


Osteoarthritis of the Hand(American Society for Surgery of the Hand) - http://www.assh.org/Public/HandConditions/Pages/ArthritisOsteoarthritis.aspx


Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Hand(American Society for Surgery of the Hand) - http://www.assh.org/Public/HandConditions/Pages/ArthritisRheumatoidArthritis.aspx


Snowblower and Lawnmower Injuries(American Society for Surgery of the Hand) - http://www.assh.org/Public/HandConditions/Pages/SnowblowerandLawnmowerInjuries.aspx


Sprained Thumb(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00022&return_link=0


Thumb Arthritis(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/thumb-arthritis/DS00703/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print


Thumb Fractures(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00011&return_link=0


Trigger Finger(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/trigger-finger/DS00155/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print


Vascular Disorders of the Upper Extremity(American Society for Surgery of the Hand) - http://www.assh.org/Public/HandConditions/Pages/VascularDisorders.aspx


Writer's Cramp (Hand Dystonia)(Dystonia Medical Research Foundation) - http://www.dystonia-foundation.org/pages/more_info/54.php

Pictures & Photographs


Callus(Logical Images) - http://www.visualdxhealth.com/adult/callus.htm
Hands in Systemic Disease(American Society for Surgery of the Hand) - http://www.assh.org/Public/HandConditions/Pages/SystemicDiseases.aspx


Herpetic Whitlow(Logical Images) - http://www.visualdxhealth.com/adult/herpeticWhitlow.htm


Myxoid Cyst(Logical Images) - http://www.visualdxhealth.com/adult/myxoidCyst.htm


Health Check Tools


Hand Pain (One Hand)(DSHI Systems) - http://www.freemd.com/hand-pain-one-hand/visit-virtual-doctor.htm


Numbness of the Hand (DSHI Systems) - http://www.freemd.com/numbness-of-the-hand-unilateral/visit-virtual-doctor.htm


Tingling of the Hand(DSHI Systems) - http://www.freemd.com/tingling-of-the-hand-unilateral/visit-virtual-doctor.htm


Anatomy/Physiology


Hand Anatomy(American Society for Surgery of the Hand) - http://www.assh.org/Public/HandAnatomy/Pages/default.aspx


Clinical Trials


ClinicalTrials.gov: Finger Injuries From the National Institutes of Health(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Finger+Injuries%22


ClinicalTrials.gov: Hand Injuries From the National Institutes of Health(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Hand+Injuries%22


ClinicalTrials.gov: Thumb Injuries From the National Institutes of Health(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Thumb%22


Genetics


Genetics Home Reference: Baller-Gerold syndromeFrom the National Institutes of Health(National Library of Medicine) - http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition=ballergeroldsyndrome


Genetics Home Reference: Duane-radial ray syndromeFrom the National Institutes of Health(National Library of Medicine) - http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition=duaneradialraysyndrome


Genetics Home Reference: Greig cephalopolysyndactyly syndromeFrom the National Institutes of Health(National Library of Medicine) - http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition=greigcephalopolysyndactylysyndrome


Genetics Home Reference: Hand-foot-genital syndrome From the National Institutes of Health(National Library of Medicine) - http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition=handfootgenitalsyndrome


Genetics Home Reference: Holt-Oram syndrome From the National Institutes of Health(National Library of Medicine) - http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition=holtoramsyndrome


Genetics Home Reference: Pallister-Hall syndrome From the National Institutes of Health(National Library of Medicine) - http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition=pallisterhallsyndrome


Genetics Home Reference: Timothy syndrome From the National Institutes of Health(National Library of Medicine) - http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition=timothysyndrome


Genetics Home Reference: Townes-Brocks SyndromeFrom the National Institutes of Health(National Library of Medicine) - http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition=townesbrockssyndrome


Journal Articles


References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
Article: Fractures of the proximal interphalangeal joints of the fingers. - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=19483220&tool=MedlinePlus


Article: Central ray deficiency with extensive syndactyly: a dilemma for classification. - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=19400540&tool=MedlinePlus


Article: Genetic and molecular aspects of acromelic dysplasia. - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=19396027&tool=MedlinePlus


Hand Injuries and Disorders -- see more articles - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=search&db=pubmed&term=(hand+injuries[majr]+OR+hand+deformities,congenital[majr]+OR+metacarpus/in[majr]+OR+metacarpus/ab[majr])+NOT+(raynaud+disease[mh]+OR+carpal+tunnel+syndrome[mh]+OR+wrist[majr]+OR+wrist+injuries[mh]+OR+carpal+bones[mh])+AND+english[la]+AND+humans[mh]+AND+(jsubsetk[text]+OR+patient+education+handout[pt]+OR+review[pt]+OR+guideline[pt]+OR+clinical+trial[pt]+OR+systematic[sb]+OR+jsubsetaim[text]+OR+jsubsetn[text])+NOT+(letter[pt]+OR+editorial[pt]+OR+case+reports[pt])&doptcmdl=summary&cmd_current=Limits&pmfilter_EDatLimit=last+1+Year&tool=MedlinePlus


Medical Encyclopedia
hand injuries - http://vsearch.nlm.nih.gov/vivisimo/cgi-bin/query-meta?v:project=medlineplus&binning-state=group%3d%3dMedical%20Encyclopedia&query=hand+injuries


Dictionaries/Glossaries


Glossary of Orthopaedic Words(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/glossary.cfm


Directories


Find a Hand Surgeon(American Society for Surgery of the Hand) - http://www.assh.org/Public/Pages/HandSurgeons.aspx


Find a Hand Therapist(American Society of Hand Therapists) - http://asht.smithbucklin.com/custom/index.cfm?section=customer


Find an Orthopaedist(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://www6.aaos.org/about/public/members.cfm


Organizations
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons - http://www.aaos.org/


American Society for Surgery of the Hand - http://www.assh.org/


National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases From the National Institutes of Health - http://www.niams.nih.gov/


Also available in Spanish http://www.niams.nih.gov/Portal_En_Espanol/


Children


Fingertip Injuries(American Academy of Pediatrics) - http://www.medem.com/medlib/article/ZZZSR5NQODC


Polydactyly (Supernumerary Digit)(Logical Images) - http://www.visualdxhealth.com/infant/supernumeraryDigit.htm


Syndactyly(Children's Hospital Boston) - http://www.childrenshospital.org/az/Site1036/mainpageS1036P0.html


Thumb Duplication (Pre-Axial Polydactyly)(Children's Hospital Boston) - http://www.childrenshospital.org/az/Site2041/mainpageS2041P0.html


Thumb Hypoplasia(Children's Hospital Boston) - http://www.childrenshospital.org/az/Site1105/mainpageS1105P0.html


You may also be interested in these MedlinePlus related pages:
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/carpaltunnelsyndrome.html


Elbow Injuries and Disorders - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/elbowinjuriesanddisorders.html


Raynaud's Disease - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/raynaudsdisease.html


Shoulder Injuries and Disorders - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/shoulderinjuriesanddisorders.html


Wrist Injuries and Disorders - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/wristinjuriesanddisorders.html


Bones, Joints and Muscles - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/bonesjointsandmuscles.html


Injuries and Wounds - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/injuriesandwounds.html


The primary NIH organization for research on Hand Injuries and Disorders is the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases -http://www.niams.nih.gov/



Hand Injuries and Disorders - Multiple Languages - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/languages/handi...



Date last updated: July 19 2009
Topic last reviewed: June 29 2009
From MedlinePlus (http://medlineplus.gov), 24 Hour Health Information.

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