Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery
Hand and upper extremity surgery is classified under the branches of fracture and bone surgery, focusing on treating injuries and diseases affecting the area from the fingers to the shoulder joint. Specialization in surgery is crucial for better diagnosis and treatment, helping overcome many of the challenges that occur in these vital parts of the body, especially considering that hands and upper extremities are the most used parts of the musculoskeletal system.
How Are Diseases of the Hand and Upper Extremity Diagnosed?
- Physical Examination: Physical or clinical examination can provide an initial assessment of the extent of hand or upper extremity injuries by the physician applying pressure to the injury areas.
- Computed Tomography (CT) Scan: CT imaging can detect fractures in the wrist or elbow bones, and it's considered the most important type of imaging for diagnosing diseases of the hand and upper extremities.
- Ultrasound: The use of ultrasound helps examine soft tissues while moving the hands and wrists, thereby identifying fractures or tears.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): MRI imaging can examine tissues, bones, and muscles, aiding in identifying the nature of fractures and ligament tears.
- X-ray Imaging: X-ray imaging helps identify deformities and fractures in the hand or shoulder joint.
