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Hand Function in Geriatric Conditions

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Hand Function

Abstract

Prolonged longevity with an increase in the numbers of elderly and disability-free life expectancy focused the impact on geriatric population. A larger geriatric population results in an increase in old hand therapy patients.

Studies in elderly population reported increased difficulties in performing everyday tasks and a reduction in quality of life. The decline in hand function can be due to deterioration in muscle coordination and strength, decline in finger dexterity and sensation, as well as the degeneration of the CNS. Some systemic pathologies common in the elderly population have marked impact on hand function. Parkinson’s disease with rigidity and tremor, DM with neuropathy and Dupuytren’s contracture, and stroke with flask or spastic extremities are the most recognized ones. Also in older people, conditions not directly related to the primary hand problem but negatively affecting the patients’ health status or therapy period can be present, like a flexor tendon repair accompanied by severe dementia. These problems not only interfere with the evaluation and diagnostic process but seriously and negatively affect the therapy and rehabilitation period. In this chapter along with impact of aging and age-related comorbid conditions on hand function, clinical examination and functional evaluation in the elderly population will be reviewed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Physical Medicine and Rehabiliation, Mersin University School of Medicine, Mersin, 33079, Turkey

    Nurgül Arıncı İncel M.D.

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  1. Nurgül Arıncı İncel M.D.
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Correspondence to Nurgül Arıncı İncel M.D. .

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  1. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Marmara University Medical School, Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey

    Mehmet Tuncay Duruöz

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İncel, N.A. (2014). Hand Function in Geriatric Conditions. In: Duruöz, M. (eds) Hand Function. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-9449-2_13

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-9449-2_13

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