wrist and hand exam Flashcards
FOOSH can lead to
Scaphoid or distal radius (Colle’s) fracture
Lunate dislocation
Clicking and popping sounds in a joint, especially after a FOOSH injury or repetitive use, can be signs of joint instability:
Ligament injury or tear – Damage to stabilizing ligaments (e.g., scapholunate ligament in the wrist) can cause abnormal movement of the bones
Damage to articular cartilage (such as a labral tear in the shoulder)
Partial or complete dislocation can lead to abnormal positioning and movement of bones
Tendons that have become misaligned or irritated (like the extensor carpi ulnaris tendon in the wrist)
In an inflammatory condition, the following symptoms typically appear:
Insidious onset of pain – The pain gradually develops over time, rather than being linked to a specific traumatic event or mechanical injury.
Redness – The affected area may appear red due to increased blood flow from the inflammatory response.
Swelling – Fluid accumulation or joint effusion often occurs, leading to noticeable swelling.
No mechanism of injury (MOI) – The pain and other symptoms arise without a clear cause, often linked to autoimmune or systemic issues rather than trauma or overuse.
Insidious hand pain refers to pain that develops gradually over time, without an obvious injury or traumatic event. Possible causes of insidious hand pain include:
Osteoarthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)
Tendinitis or tenosynovitis
Trigger finger
Gout
Infective arthritis
Polyarthritis
Vascular disorders
Osteoarthritis –
Degeneration of joint cartilage, commonly affecting the thumb (CMC joint), causing stiffness, pain, and swelling.
Rheumatoid arthritis –
An autoimmune condition that leads to joint inflammation, particularly in the small joints of the hands, often accompanied by swelling, stiffness, and deformities.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) –
Compression of the median nerve in the wrist, resulting in pain, numbness, and tingling that may worsen over time, especially at night.
Tendinitis or tenosynovitis –
Chronic overuse or repetitive strain leading to inflammation of the tendons, causing gradual pain and swelling (e.g., De Quervain’s tenosynovitis).
Trigger finger –
Inflammation or thickening of the tendons, making finger movement painful and causing locking or catching.
Gout -
Uric acid crystals accumulate in joints, often due to high uric acid levels in the blood
Sudden, severe attacks of pain, redness, and swelling, commonly affecting the small joints of the fingers or wrists
Gout flares often occur at night and can be triggered by diet, alcohol, or dehydration
Infective (Septic) Arthritis -
Bacterial, viral, or fungal infection in the joint, leading to inflammation
Acute onset of severe pain, warmth, redness, and swelling, often accompanied by fever and systemic symptoms
The affected joint may become stiff and difficult to move.
Polyarthritis -
Inflammation of multiple joints, often associated with autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or psoriatic arthritis
Symmetrical involvement of multiple joints, including the hands, with swelling, pain, and morning stiffness lasting more than 30 minute
Vascular Disorders -
Compromised blood flow due to conditions like Raynaud’s phenomenon, peripheral artery disease (PAD), or vasculitis
Cold, pale, or bluish fingers with pain, tingling, or numbness
common deformities associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA):
Boutonniere Deformity of thumb
Ulnar Deviation of Metacarpophalangeal (MCP) Joints
Swan-Neck Deformity of fingers
Boutonniere Deformity
Flexion of the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint and hyperextension of the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint
Cause: Damage or rupture of the central slip of the extensor tendon at the PIP joint
Ulnar Deviation of Metacarpophalangeal (MCP) Joints
Deviation of the fingers toward the ulnar side (pinky side) at the MCP joints
Cause: weakening of joint capsules and ligaments leads to drifting of the fingers toward the ulnar side
Swan-Neck Deformity
Hyperextension of the PIP joint and flexion of the DIP joint
Cause: Imbalance between the flexor and extensor mechanisms of the finger
Resting position of the hand:
Finger flexion greater moving from radial to ulnar direction, normal arches (longitudinal/transverse), thumb slight abduction
Muscle wasting:
thenar (median n)
1st dorsal interosseous muscle (C7)
hypothenar (ulnar n)
Thenar Muscle Wasting (Median Nerve)
abductor pollicis brevis, flexor pollicis brevis, and opponens pollicis
Compression or damage to the median nerve, often due to conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)
the rounded area at the base of the thumb), along with weakness in thumb opposition, abduction, and flexion
struggle with gripping or pinching motions
First Dorsal Interosseous Muscle Wasting (C7)
primarily innervated by the ulnar nerve, but involvement of the C7 nerve root can indirectly impact this muscle
cervical radiculopathy, nerve compression, cubital tunnel syndrome
Wasting between the thumb and index finger (first web space), leading to weakness in finger abduction and reduced pinch strength
Hypothenar Muscle Wasting (Ulnar Nerve)
abductor digiti minimi, flexor digiti minimi brevis, and opponens digiti minimi
ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow (cubital tunnel syndrome) or at the wrist (Guyon’s canal syndrome)
Wasting of the hypothenar eminence (the rounded area at the base of the little finger), along with weakness in movements of the pinky finger, including abduction, opposition, and flexion
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)
often develops after an injury (e.g., a fracture or surgery) and involves persistent pain, swelling, and autonomic disturbances.
Vasomotor changes: Abnormal skin temperature (cold or warm), skin color changes, and altered sweating.
Trophic changes: Shiny skin, hair loss, brittle or ridged fingernails, and skin atrophy.
Peripheral Nerve Damage (Neuropathy)
Conditions like diabetic neuropathy or entrapment syndromes (e.g., carpal tunnel syndrome) can lead to impaired autonomic function.
The affected nerves may cause vasomotor symptoms like temperature differences and trophic changes, including loss of hair and nail brittleness in the distribution of the damaged nerve.
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
Decreased blood flow due to arterial blockages can lead to trophic changes, such as shiny skin, hair loss on the legs, brittle nails, and poor wound healing.
Cold extremities or a noticeable temperature difference between limbs can also be observed.
Raynaud’s Phenomenon
A vasomotor disorder triggered by cold or stress, causing changes in blood flow to the fingers or toes.
Prolonged cases may lead to trophic changes like brittle nails, thinning skin, and even ulcers due to poor circulation.
Autonomic Neuropathy
Seen in conditions like diabetes or autoimmune diseases, where the autonomic nervous system is damaged, leading to issues with sweating regulation (too much or too little) and temperature dysregulation.
Chronic Nerve Compression
Prolonged compression, such as in carpal tunnel syndrome or thoracic outlet syndrome, may impair blood supply and autonomic function, causing vasomotor and trophic changes, including changes in sweating, skin texture, and nail growth.
Heberden’s Nodes
Location: Affect the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints (the joints closest to the tips of the fingers).
Associated with: Osteoarthritis of the DIP joints.
Appearance: These are hard, bony swellings that develop over time due to cartilage degeneration and the formation of osteophytes (bone spurs).
Symptoms: They can cause stiffness, reduced range of motion, and pain, although some people may have painless nodes.
Bouchard’s Nodes
Location: Affect the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints (the middle joints of the fingers).
Associated with: Osteoarthritis of the PIP joints.
Appearance: Similar to Heberden’s nodes but occur at a different location. These bony enlargements also result from cartilage breakdown and osteophyte formation.
Symptoms: Similar to Heberden’s nodes, they may cause pain, stiffness, and difficulty with finger movement.
Spoon shaped fingernails =
fungal infection, anemia, iron deficiency, diabetes, long time injury, psoriasis
Clubbed nails =
(hypertrophy of nail bed, COPD, congenital heart defect, cor pulmonale)
+ Froment sign =
inability to pinch between thumb and index finger without flexion of the DIP occurring- weakness of AP, FPB
assess for ulnar nerve dysfunction, particularly indicating weakness in the adductor pollicis (AP) and flexor pollicis brevis (FPB) muscles
If these muscles are weak or paralyzed due to ulnar nerve damage, compensation occurs through the flexor pollicis longus (FPL), which is innervated by the median nerve.
Intrinsic Minus –
combined ulnar and median nerve loss
Claw Hand): Caused by intrinsic muscle weakness, leading to MCP hyperextension and PIP/DIP flexion (e.g., ulnar nerve injury)
weakness or paralysis of the intrinsic muscles (interossei and lumbricals)
When these muscles are weakened, the extrinsic flexors and extensors dominate
Intrinsic Plus –
90 dg MCP flex, PIP/DIP ext, interossei and lumbricals at shortest position, common in patients with RA
Caused by intrinsic muscle dominance, leading to MCP flexion and PIP/DIP extension (e.g., intrinsic muscle spasticity or extrinsic muscle weakness)
Rheumatoid arthritis or intrinsic muscle contractures may lead to this position due to joint or muscle changes
“safe position” for hand splinting
“lumbrical grip”
Limited Extension of hand:
Potential Causes: Joint stiffness, contractures, arthritis, or tendon injuries.
Possible Conditions: Rheumatoid arthritis, Dupuytren’s contracture, tenosynovitis
Limited Flexion of hand:
Potential Causes: Weakness in flexor muscles, pain, or joint damage.
Possible Conditions: Tendon injuries, flexor tendinitis, neurological issues.
Pain on Opening the Hand:
Potential Causes: Flexor tendon issues, joint inflammation, or irritation.
Possible Conditions: Tenosynovitis, rheumatoid arthritis, or trigger finger.
Pain on Closing the Hand:
Potential Causes: Weakness or strain in flexor muscles, joint pain, or structural issues.
Possible Conditions: Tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, or osteoarthritis.
Importance of Pad-to-Pad Mobility
allows for precise pinching, gripping, and manipulation of objects
Test each finger individually
Restricted Mobility: Suggests potential issues with joint range of motion, tendon flexibility, or muscle strength, which may impact functional tasks.
Arthritis, joint deformities, or contractures can limit finger extension and thumb movement.
Tendon injuries or tightness can restrict the ability to bring the pads together effectively.
Weakness or coordination problems due to nerve damage or muscle dysfunction can affect pinching ability.
most functional activities, having at least ___ of opening between the thumb and fingers is crucial
5 cm
The ability to make three different fists:
standard
straight
hook
Standard fist
Power
The fingers are curled into the palm, and the thumb wraps around the outside, forming a tight grip
checks for the integrity of the flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) and flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) tendons
Difficulty forming this fist may indicate damage to flexor tendons, median or ulnar nerve pathology, or joint issues like arthritis
Hook Fist
(placing fingertips onto MCP joints)
proximal interphalangeal (PIP) and distal interphalangeal (DIP) joints are flexed, while the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints remain extended
primarily tests the function of the flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) tendons, which flex the DIP joints
Straight Fist (Lumbrical Plus)
(placing fingertips on the thenar and hypothenar eminences). The ability to flex the fingers to within 1–2 cm of the distal anterior (palmar) crease is an indication of functional range of motion for many hand activities
MCP joints are flexed while the PIP and DIP joints are extended. The fingers are positioned flat against the palm without curling
tests the lumbrical muscles and the flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) tendons, which flex the PIP joints without engaging the FDP
nability to form this fist suggests issues with the FDS tendons or median nerve dysfunction, as the FDS is crucial for isolated PIP joint flexion
Edema assessment:
“Volumetry”= water displacement as a measure of volume, is considered the gold standard for measuring hand size.
Circumferential measurements
Loose wrist/hand:
wrist instability:
DRUJ
VISI/DISI
UCL sprain
CMC OA
RA
Distal Radioulnar Joint (DRUJ) Instability
Injury or laxity of the ligaments stabilizing the DRUJ, commonly due to trauma (like a FOOSH injury) or degenerative changes
Pain on the ulnar side of the wrist, especially during rotational movements like pronation and supination