Injuries of the Hand and Forearm
The hand is a complicated organ with multiple tissues working in close proximity for intricate function, many of which can be damaged by an injury.
This includes
- Finger fractures
- Joint and ligament injuries
- tendon injuries
- Nerve injuries
- Blood Vessel injuries
- Skin damage or loss
Special areas that demand specific attention include
- fingertip injuries with the nail complex- accurate repair of the nailbed injuries needs to be done
- tendon injuries in the fingers- increased tendency to get stiffness
- penetrating injuries by sharp objects like knife or glass fragments- as multiple tissues can be injured below the entry wound
- fight bite injuries around the knuckles- the knuckle joint may get infected from puncturing teeth
- Amputation of digits- the part needs to be cooled so that it can be reattached .
It is important that immediate hand surgery care be obtained so as to accurately diagnose the injury, debride the wound to reduce risk of infection and minimize tissue loss, and perform early repair of the structures for functional recovery.
The use of magnification (microscope) is important in critical nerve and vessel repair, knowledge of tissue healing and repair techniques maximize the chances of recovery . Lastly, post-operative care and rehabilitation determine the final outcome of any hand injury.
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