Hand exam: Difference between revisions

(Text replacement - "==References== " to "==References== <references/> ")
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===Inspection===
===Inspection===
*General appearance
*General appearance
**Wounds, atrophy, discoloration, swelling, masses, nail changes
*Palpate for: Crepitus, deformity, joint tenderness, rotation deformity, snuffbox tenderness
*Palpate for: Crepitus, deformity, joint tenderness, rotation deformity, snuffbox tenderness


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*Flexor digitorum profundus (FDP)
*Flexor digitorum profundus (FDP)
**Flex DIP against resistance while MCP and PIP joints are held in extension
**Flex DIP against resistance while MCP and PIP joints are held in extension
*Flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) + Flexor pollicis longus (FPL)
*Flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS)
**Flex PIP against resistance while remaining fingers are held in extension
**Flex PIP against resistance while remaining fingers are held in extension, especially the DIPs of the remaining fingers
*Extensor tendons
*Extensor tendons
**Hand flat an surface and lift fingers individually
**Hand flat on surface and lift fingers individually


===Circulation===
===Circulation===
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*Median
*Median
**Controls thumb opposition and 1st and 2nd lumbricals
**Controls thumb opposition and 1st and 2nd lumbricals
**Have patient touch tip of thumb to tip of little finger with a paper in between.  Pull paper away.
**Recurrent motor branch: Have patient touch tip of thumb to tip of little finger so the nails are touching
**Anterior interosseous branch: Have patient make an OK-sign. Thumb IP and index DIP should be flexed, making a circle shape rather than a teardrop shape
**Sensation to distal 2nd digit
**Sensation to distal 2nd digit


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**Controls thumb adduction and 3 and 4th lumbricals
**Controls thumb adduction and 3 and 4th lumbricals
**Have patient spread the fingers apart against resistance
**Have patient spread the fingers apart against resistance
**Interpose a tongue deppressor between thumb and index finger and try to pull radially  
**Interpose a tongue depressor between thumb and index finger and try to pull radially  
**Sensation to distal 5th digit  
**Sensation to distal 5th digit  


*Radial  
*Radial  
**Controls thumb and wrist extension
**Controls thumb and wrist extension
**Have patient make "thumbs up" while hand is
**Have patient make "thumbs up". Alternatively, have patient perform wrist extension against resistance (tests for wrist drop)
**Sensation over the dorsal web space between the 1st and 2nd digits
**Sensation over the dorsal web space between the 1st and 2nd digits



Revision as of 05:36, 9 August 2023

Background

  • Must exam tendon injuries in their entirety through full range of motion
    • Injuries with digits in flexion may cause retraction of cut end of tendon when examined in neutral position
  • All exams should include a thorough history of events

Exam

Inspection

  • General appearance
    • Wounds, atrophy, discoloration, swelling, masses, nail changes
  • Palpate for: Crepitus, deformity, joint tenderness, rotation deformity, snuffbox tenderness

Motor

  • Bilateral grip strength
  • Have patient make a clenched fist
    • Observe orientation and rotation of middle and distal phalanxes
    • Assess for scissoring (overlapping of digits)
    • All phalanges should be oriented parallel to each other with nails in same plane
  • Have patient draw fingertips together so tip of thumb touches tips of the other 4 digits
    • Gross estimation of intact median, ulnar, and radial nerve motor function
  • Pincer function test
    • Weakness suggests median nerve or ulnar collateral ligament disruption

Tendons

  • Must test with resistance
  • Pain along course of tendon during resistance testing suggests partial rupture
  • Flexor digitorum profundus (FDP)
    • Flex DIP against resistance while MCP and PIP joints are held in extension
  • Flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS)
    • Flex PIP against resistance while remaining fingers are held in extension, especially the DIPs of the remaining fingers
  • Extensor tendons
    • Hand flat on surface and lift fingers individually

Circulation

  • Assess via cap refill and radial pulse
  • Allen test

Nerve Testing

  • Median
    • Controls thumb opposition and 1st and 2nd lumbricals
    • Recurrent motor branch: Have patient touch tip of thumb to tip of little finger so the nails are touching
    • Anterior interosseous branch: Have patient make an OK-sign. Thumb IP and index DIP should be flexed, making a circle shape rather than a teardrop shape
    • Sensation to distal 2nd digit
  • Ulnar
    • Controls thumb adduction and 3 and 4th lumbricals
    • Have patient spread the fingers apart against resistance
    • Interpose a tongue depressor between thumb and index finger and try to pull radially
    • Sensation to distal 5th digit
  • Radial
    • Controls thumb and wrist extension
    • Have patient make "thumbs up". Alternatively, have patient perform wrist extension against resistance (tests for wrist drop)
    • Sensation over the dorsal web space between the 1st and 2nd digits

See Also

References