Hand Injury Assessment

Question 1

What extra questions are important in hand assessment?

Answer 1

Questions about importance of hand to patient (e.g. occupation, hand dominance, hand use; relevant for management)

Question 2

Describe the arterial anatomy of the hand

Answer 2

Superficial and deep palmar arches connect radial and ulnar arteries (most hands can survive on one)
Numerous arches connect digital arteries; (finger can survive on one)

Question 3

What is Allen’s test?

Answer 3

To determine if dominance of blood supply
Hand is elevated, radial and ulnar arteries are occluded, patient makes fist 4 or 5 times, release one artery, assess colour change from pale to red, repeat for other artery

Question 4

What does the FDP do?

Answer 4

Flexes DIPs

Question 5

What does the FDS do?

Answer 5

Flexes PIPs

Question 6

What does FPL do?

Answer 6

Flexes IPJ of thumb