Assessment of the injured hand

Hand injuries are common and often underestimated in terms of the structures damaged and potential loss of function if they are inappropriately managed. An accurate initial assessment, which includes a full history and clinical examination, will facilitate the optimum management and future outcome of such injuries. This article aims to give the clinician a methodical approach to this assessment based on the underlying anatomical structures and highlights some of the common pitfalls. Key words: assessment; hand; injur