Hand InjuriesMedical Author:
Chad Tarr, MD
Coauthor:
Philip Shayne, MD
Editor:
Scott H Plantz, MD, FAAEM
Editor:
Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD
Editor:
Ron Fuerst, MD
Hand Injury OverviewIntricate in design and function, the hand is an amazing work of anatomy. Form follows function in the hand; therefore, any injury to the underlying structures of the hand carries the potential for serious handicap. To reduce this risk, even the smallest hand injuries require a good medical evaluation. The goal with injuries to the hand is a rapid and accurate initial evaluation. In other words, once an injury occurs, the doctor strives to begin medical treatment quickly so the short- and long-term effects can be minimized. The hand consists of 27 bones when the 8 bones of the wrist are included. When the other associated structures (nerves, arteries, veins, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joint cartilage) are considered, the potential for a variety of injuries exists when trauma involves the hand. Hand injuries account for nearly 10% of hospital Emergency Department visits. A recent series of 1,000 consecutive hand injuries showed the following distribution: 42% lacerations (cuts), 27% contusions (bruises), 17% fractures (broken bones), and 5% infections. The most common cause of the injuries was blunt trauma (50%) followed by injury from a sharp object (25%). |
Women's Health
Find out what women really need.
From WebMD
Joint Problems Resources
Featured Centers
- Ask the Nutritionist: Weight Loss Tips
- Which Drugstore Tooth Whiteners Work Best?
- Gout: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
Hand Injuries
Finger Injuries Overview
Finger injuries are common and range from minor cuts and scrapes to wounds with major damage to bone, tendons, and ligaments. If not treated properly, serious finger injuries can lead to permanent deformity and loss of function. Careful treatment will allow for a faster and more complete recovery. A number of different types of finger injuries are common:
- A laceration (cut) may only go through skin, or it may cut through blood vessels, nerves, and tendons that lie just under the skin.
- An avulsion occurs when part of the skin or soft tissue is torn off.
- With an amputation, tissue is completely cut or torn away from the finger.
- Fingernail injuries
- The fingernail and the underlying nail bed are the most commonly injured part of the hand.
- If a fingernail is injured by a direct...
- The fingernail and the underlying nail bed are the most commonly injured part of the hand.
Read What Your Physician is Reading on Medscape
Hand Injury, Soft Tissue »
Hand injuries are common and account for 5-10% of emergency department (ED) visits nationwide.
Featured Topics
Medical Dictionary
Pill Identifier on RxList
- quick,
easy,
pill identification
Find a Local Pharmacy
- including
24 hour
pharmacies

