Wrist and Hand Injuries

There are a multitude of wrist and hand injuries we could cover. We will discuss the basic anatomy as always and then talk about the commmon conditions that need rehabilitative input.

Basic Anatomy

The wrist joint is a complex cluster of joints. If we may, we will begin with the forearm bones, THE RADIUS AND THE ULNA. They are joined together at the top (just below the elbow) and bottom (just above the wrist) to form THE RADIO-ULNAR JOINTS. They do not actually from part of the wrist joint as such but they are involved in gross hand movement.



The radius bone joins with the wrist bones of which there are eight, basically set out in two lines of four. These wrist bones are very small, fine structures and fit together like a jigsaw. The wrist bones then join with the bones of the hand, the metacarpals. All in all there are a great many bones and joint involved in movement and function at the wrist.

The hand also has a large number of nerves, tendons and blood vessels. These can be easily damaged if the hand is injured. They enter the hand via the wrist under a structure called THE CARPAL TUNNEL.



Soft Tissue Problems:

tenosynovitis

carpal tunnel syndrome


Fractures

Fracture of the radius (Colles fracture).

Scaphoid fracture

Fractured metacarpal