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…
Synopsis Polydactyly of the hand refers to the presence of an extra digit or part of a digit. It can be defined as radial, central, or ulnar, referring to the region of the extra digit. The condition can occur in…
Synopsis Syndactyly is the most common congenital hand deformity, presenting with varying levels of severity. Left untreated, syndactyly can result in hand deformity and/or failure of the hand to reach its full functional potential. Surgical treatment typically occurs within the…
Synopsis Surgery most commonly performed for post-burn injuries includes initial excision of non-viable tissue and, later, release of scars, correction of joint contractures, and use of grafts and flaps to resurface areas of skin loss. Common areas include the neck,…
Synopsis Foot burns consist of a small percentage of the total body surface area calculated for burns, but injury to this region of anatomical importance can often result in debilitating consequences. The complexity of these burns requires specialized treatment by…
Synopsis Over 200,000 patients are treated yearly in the United States for burns, and yearly millions suffer from burns overseas. Due to the large surface area and dependent position of the lower extremities, burns are very common and can range…