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Examination of the Pediatric Hand

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Pediatric and Adult Hand Fractures

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Abstract

The hand is the most commonly injured part of the body in the pediatric population. In order to timely and accurately care for a potential pediatric hand fracture, it is important to perform a thorough history, physical and radiographic examination. The initial examination should include the patient history, observation, palpation, a range of motion assessment, and tendinous and neurovascular evaluation. Subsequent radiographic examination will confirm the suspected diagnosis and guide the course of treatment. Understanding proper diagnostic techniques will improve the timeliness and appropriate management of pediatric hand fractures.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Catherine C. May & Joshua M. Abzug

Authors
  1. Catherine C. May
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  2. Joshua M. Abzug
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Joshua M. Abzug .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Joshua M. Abzug

  2. Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC, USA

    R. Glenn Gaston

  3. Philadelphia Hand to Shoulder Center, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    A. Lee Osterman

  4. Rothman Orthopaedic Institute Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Richard J. Tosti

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Disclaimer: The views expressed in the submitted article are our own and not an official position of the institution.

Electronic Supplementary Material

Clinical demonstration of a tenodesis assessment in a 3-year-old female with a right index finger distal tuft fracture and an associated nail complex laceration. (Courtesy of Joshua M. Abzug, MD) (MP4 3277 kb)

Clinical demonstration of a tendon congruity assessment utilizing volar forearm compression in a 2-year-old male with a left small finger closed, nondisplaced fracture of the distal phalanx. (Courtesy of Joshua M. Abzug, MD) (MP4 12986 kb)

Clinical demonstration of performing the Two-Point discrimination test. (Courtesy of Joshua M. Abzug, MD) (MP4 40842 kb)

Clinical demonstration of the Digital Allen’s test. (Courtesy of Joshua M. Abzug, MD) (MP4 6787 kb)

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May, C.C., Abzug, J.M. (2023). Examination of the Pediatric Hand. In: Abzug, J.M., Gaston, R.G., Osterman, A.L., Tosti, R.J. (eds) Pediatric and Adult Hand Fractures. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-32072-9_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-32072-9_2

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-031-32071-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-031-32072-9

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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