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Hand Injuries (cont.)

Exams and Tests

Upon arriving at the Emergency Department or clinic, the medical evaluation may include a medical history and physical examination.

  • Medical history

    • Past medical history (Do you have diabetes or arthritis? Do you smoke?)

    • Hand dominance (Are you right- or left-handed?)

    • Occupation, extracurricular activities, and hobbies (How do you use your hands?)

    • Mechanism of injury (How did the injury occur?)

  • Physical examination


  • Tests: The doctor may order x-rays after the history and physical exam, if warranted. Certain hand injuries will require x-rays to identify fractures or dislocations or to rule out foreign bodies.

  • After a thorough evaluation, the diagnosis usually falls within one of these common injury categories.

    • Lacerations

    • Fractures and dislocations

    • Soft tissue injuries and amputations

    • Infections

    • Burns

    • Thermal burns

      • First-degree burn - Superficial, involvement of the outermost layer of skin, characterized by pain, redness, swelling

      • Second-degree burn - Partial skin thickness, characterized by blistering

      • Third-degree burn - Extends completely through all skin layers, characterized by lack of pain and sensation

    • Chemical burns

    • Electric burns

    • Cold injury or frostbite



Next: Hand Injury Treatment »

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Hand Injury, Soft Tissue »

Hand injuries are common and account for 5-10% of emergency department (ED) visits nationwide.

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