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
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
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.