Thanks to Plastics registrars Dr Daniel Reilly and Dr Felicity Connon for their presentation.
Assessment and Management of Hand Injuries
Points
- remember that despite the rise of technology, solid basic descriptions are still the bedrock of a good referral. Use appropriate and precise terminology eg. radial / ulnar
- The hand examination includes motor, sensory and tendon function components
- Early washout in ED may prevent later complications – consider using 500-1000mL bags of NaCl 0.9% on pump set with a drawing up needle to facilitate large volumes of fluid under good pressure
- Ensure your slabs are of appropriate weight so they do not fall apart before the first plastics clinic review
- The Plastics team are keen to see all hand fractures, even ones that will be managed conservatively, so that patients can have access to a hand therapist
- Nail bed injuries can be described by how proximal / distal to bone and nail bed, and if they are oblique