Musculoskeletal Key

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…

Carpal Metacarpal Fractures and Dislocations Thumb Injuries to the carpometacarpal (CMC) region of the thumb include CMC dislocations, simple fracture dislocations (Bennett’s fracture), comminuted intraarticular fracture dislocations (Rolando’s fracture), and…

Chronic Carpal Instability General Information Injuries to the intrinsic and extrinsic carpal ligaments may alter the normal mechanics of the wrist, resulting in pain, disability, and possibly degenerative changes. Diagnostic…

Acute Carpal Dislocations and Ligamentous Injuries General Information Acute carpal dislocations and acute ligamentous injuries of the wrist represent a spectrum of traumatic injuries to the wrist. Acute carpal dislocations…

Carpal Fractures Scaphoid General Information The scaphoid is the most commonly fractured carpal bone. This fracture occurs most frequently in young adult men, but may be seen in elderly persons…