Examination of the Wrist and Hand

Abstract

Examination of the wrist Attitude: Look for the following attitudes:

• Palmarflexion of the wrist (wrist drop—specifically used for high radial nerve palsy)—radial nerve palsy, brachial palsy, Volkmann’s ischemic contracture, infections around the wrist.

• Ulnar deviation of the wrist—Rheumatoid arthritis, congenital absence of the ulna (or any pathology causing loss of distal ulna: osteomyelitis, neglected trauma)

• Radial deviation of the wrist—Colles’ fracture, congenital absence of radius

• Dinner fork deformity—Colles’ fracture

• Manus valgus—Madelung deformity