Diagnostic Imaging of the Upper Extremity
CRITICAL POINTS ▪ Plain radiography is the standard imaging technique. It provides the vast majority of information needed in many hand and wrist disorders. ▪ Advanced imaging is necessary when…
Other Nerve Compression Syndromes of the Wrist and Elbow
CRITICAL POINTS ▪ The clinical features of radial nerve compression and irritation at the wrist require careful examination to rule out the more common conditions of tennis elbow and de…
Fingertip Injuries
CRITICAL POINTS ▪ Fingertip injuries are common and account for approximately 4% of all emergency department visits. ▪ Sequelae of fingertip injuries include scar contracture, cold intolerance, hypersensitivity, inadequate pulp…
Extra-articular Hand Fractures, Part I: Surgeon’s Management—A Practical Approach
CRITICAL POINTS ▪ Early return to motion is key to achieving the best outcome. ▪ Rigid internal fixation methods make early return to motion possible. ▪ The choice of treatment…
Basic Science of Nerve Compressions
CRITICAL POINTS Features of Connective Tissue ▪ The outermost connective tissues of the nerve, the perineurium, and the epineurium provide diffusion barriers to keep toxins out of the nerve and…
New Advances in Nerve Repair
CRITICAL POINTS Indications ▪ Motor or sensory loss with open wound ▪ Crush or stretch injury without progressive motor or sensory recovery after 3 to 6 months. ▪ Irreparable nerve…
Intra-articular Hand Fractures and Joint Injuries: Part II—Therapist’s Management
CRITICAL POINTS ▪ Most fractures and soft tissue injuries heal on a common timeline, and rehabilitation principles and goals coincide with this period of healing. ▪ The specifics of each…
Hand Fracture Fixation and Healing: Skeletal Stability and Digital Mobility
“The most common complication of hand fractures is not malunion or infection. Rather, it is joint contractures and tendon adhesions.” Baratz and Divelbiss, 1997 CRITICAL POINTS ▪ Fracture reduction ▪…
Therapist’s Management of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Practical Approach
CRITICAL POINTS Conservative Treatment ▪ Complete clinical evaluation for the entire upper extremity ▪ Decrease carpal tunnel pressure/Improve local neural circulation ▪ Proper orthosis geometry ▪ Wrist position 2 degrees…
Soft Tissue Tumors of the Forearm and Hand
CRITICAL POINTS ▪ Perform a biopsy and culture all tumors treated operatively. ▪ Rheumatologic workup should be considered with suggestive synovitis pattern (i.e., atraumatic ulnar wrist swelling in young patient)….
