Assessment of distal phalangeal injuries of the hand
1. Clinical examination
Hand surgery involves a multi-specialty approach to the assessment, treatment, and aftercare of hand trauma. Therefore, the specialized teams should be involved early on according to the specific injury requirements.
- Check the shape of the injured finger and nail
- Check the size of swelling and hematoma, including subungual
- Palpate for maximal tenderness and check for pain
- Check active and passive range of motion
Subungual hematoma requires immediate treatment to avoid pain and subsequent infection, pulp infarction, and germinal matrix ischemia.
2. Radiological assessment
X-ray imaging
Standard AP and lateral x-rays are taken.
