Musculoskeletal Key

Tumors Ganglions General Information Ganglion cysts are the most common soft-tissue tumor of the hand. Ganglions are formed from modified synovial cells. The cyst is usually connected with an underlying…

Infections Felon General Information A felon is a deep infection of the finger pulp (Fig. 1), and accounts for approximately 15% of hand infections. There is usually a history of…

Compartment Syndrome General Information An acute compartment syndrome occurs when the interstitial tissue pressure rises above the tissue perfusion pressure and causes a cycle of increasing edema and cellular necrosis….

Dermatologic Disorders General Examination Examination of the skin is an extremely important part of the evaluation of the upper extremity. The clinician should note the overall appearance, texture, and color,…

Arterial Injuries General Information Significant redundancy exists in the vascular supply to the upper extremity. The brachial artery has radial and ulnar collateral vessels at the elbow. The radial and…

Nerve Injuries General Information The median, ulnar, and radial nerves are the terminal branches of the brachial plexus and supply motor, sensory, and sympathetic function to the hand (Appendix 4,…

Flexor Tendon Injuries General Information Lacerations to the palmar surface of the digit and hand are frequently complicated by injury to the flexor tendons. In general, tendon injuries are classified…

Extensor Tendon Injuries General Information Tendon Laceration The extensor tendons are divided into eight zones (Fig. 1). Odd-numbered zones are on the joints and even zones are between the joints….

Fractures and Dislocations of the Metacarpals and Phalanges General Information Metacarpal and phalangeal fractures are common skeletal injuries that are classified by the pattern of the fracture and the condition…