Synopsis Management of lower-extremity trauma involves a multidisciplinary approach that usually requires full trauma evaluation. The decisions for amputation vs. salvage as well as reconstruction require close collaboration by orthopedic and plastic surgeons, and must be individualized to patient, injury,…
Synopsis Acute compartment syndrome is a surgical emergency with diverse etiologies. Acute compartment syndrome is classically described clinically with “the 6 P's”: pain, pallor, paresthesia, paresis, poikilothermia, and pulselessness. Clinical examination along with judgment is the gold standard for diagnosis;…
Synopsis This chapter presents information to guide hand therapists in providing care on international short-term medical missions. It reviews principles of hand therapy evaluation and treatment in this setting with recommendations to guide instruction to local therapists in host countries.…
Synopsis Cerebral palsy is a disorder of the central nervous system affecting body movement and muscle coordination. It is the most common of all childhood disabilities, affecting roughly 2 to 3 children out of every 1000. Cerebral palsy is found…
Synopsis The term replantation is used when there is surgical reattachment of a completely amputated body part. In contrast, when there is some tissue still attached, and reattachment of this incompletely amputated part requires microsurgical repair of the vessels, this…
Synopsis Hand fractures are common injuries and have been reported to account for 10% of upper-extremity fractures. Timely diagnosis and treatment are essential to provide a good outcome. Although many hand fractures can be managed without surgery, recognition of those…
Synopsis Tendon transfers can be used to restore hand and wrist function after a nerve injury, both in the acute setting and in delayed presentations. Injuries of the brachial plexus and peripheral motor nerves are common indications for tendon transfers.…
Synopsis Cleft hand, or central longitudinal deficiency, is characterized by a V-shaped defect, absence of 1 or more central digits, syndactyly or other abnormalities of bordering digits, and a deficient first web space. Cleft hand is an autosomal-dominant condition with…
Synopsis Congenital transverse deficiency of the upper extremity is a rare but disabling condition in which all elements beyond a given level in the extremity are absent. The most common level is the proximal forearm, but it can occur at…
Synopsis Almost any deficiency of the thumb compromises the function of the hand. Differences range from minor shortening of an otherwise normal thumb to complete absence of the thumb. Blauth has classified the hypoplastic thumb into five categories depending on…