The goal with hand injuries are rapid and accurate initial evaluation and treatment. In other words, once an injury occurs, the doctor strives to begin medical treatment quickly so the short- and long-term effects on the hand can be minimized. The hand consists of 27 bones (including the 8 bones of the wrist). When the other associated structures (nerves, arteries, veins, muscles, tendons, ligaments, joint cartilage, and fingernails) are considered, the potential for a variety of injuries exists when trauma involves the hand. The most common cause of the injuries is blunt trauma, followed by injury from a sharp object.
Hand injuries can be divided into six general categories:
lacerations (cuts),
fractures and dislocations,
soft tissue injuries and amputations,
infections,
burns, and
high pressure injuries (grease and paint guns).
Other common hand injuries include
nail injuries,
finger injuries,
finger infection,
wrist injuries, and
