CRITICAL POINTS Clinical Factors Defining Relative Stability of a Fracture ▪ Which bone; where in bone ▪ Nature and number of fracture line(s) ▪ Initial fracture displacement and alignment ▪…
CRITICAL POINTS ▪ After nerve injury the cortical representation of the hand becomes disorganized, diminishes, or may disappear, a fact that may seriously jeopardize hand function. ▪ The brain is…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
“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 ▪…
