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OBJECTIVES

When you finish this chapter you should be able to

  • Review the structural and functional anatomy of the forearm, wrist, hand, and fingers.

  • Outline the process of assessment for injuries to the forearm, wrist, hand, and fingers.

  • Incorporate management techniques for dealing with injuries to the forearm, wrist, hand, and fingers.

  • Implement the appropriate rehabilitation techniques for dealing with injuries to the forearm, wrist, hand, and fingers.

CONNECT HIGHLIGHTS

Visit http://connect.mcgraw-hill.com for further exercises to apply your knowledge:

  • Clinical application scenarios covering assessment and recognition of forearm, wrist, hand, and finger injuries; etiology, symptoms and signs, and management of forearm, wrist, hand, and finger injuries; and rehabilitation for the forearm, wrist, hand, and finger

  • Click-and-drag questions covering structural anatomy of the forearm, wrist, hand, and finger; assessment of forearm, wrist, hand, and finger injuries; and rehabilitation plan of the forearm, wrist, hand, and finger

  • Multiple-choice questions covering anatomy, assessment, etiology, management, and rehabilitation of forearm, wrist, hand, and finger injuries

  • Selection questions covering rehabilitation plan for various injuries to the forearm, wrist, hand, and finger

  • Video identification of special tests for the forearm, wrist, hand, and finger injuries; rehabilitation techniques for the forearm, wrist, hand, and finger; taping and wrapping for forearm, wrist, hand, and finger injuries

  • Picture identification of major anatomical components of the forearm, wrist, hand, and finger; rehabilitation techniques of the forearm, wrist, hand, and finger; and therapeutic modalities for management

ANATOMY OF THE FOREARM

Bones

The bones of the forearm are the ulna and the radius (Figure 24–1). The ulna, which may be thought of as a direct extension of the humerus, is long, straight, and larger proximally than distally. The radius, considered an extension of the hand, is thicker distally than proximally.

FIGURE 24–1

Bony anatomy of the forearm. (A) Anterior view. (B) Posterior view.

Articulations

The forearm has three articulations: the superior, middle, and distal radioulnar joints. The superior radioulnar articulation is a pivot joint that moves in a ring formed by the ulna and the annular ligament.

The middle radioulnar joint, which is the junction between the shafts of the ulna and the radius, is held together by an oblique ligamentous cord and the interosseous membrane. The oblique cord is a small band of ligamentous fibers that are attached to the lateral side of the ulna and pass downward and laterally to the radius. The interosseous membrane is a thin sheet of fibrous tissue that runs downward between the radius and the ulna and transmits forces directly through the hand from the radius to the ulna. The middle ...

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