history (hand)
Last reviewed 01/2018
When taking the history of a hand problem, consider:
- pain:
- pain from the hand may be felt in the fingers or palm
- a diffuse ache may be referred from the neck, shoulder or mediastinum
- deformity:
- as well as providing function the hand is also of great cosmetic importance
- deformity may occur acutely e.g. due to tendon rupture, or slowly due to bone or joint pathology
- swelling:
- symmetry and pattern of joint involvement may be diagnostic
- function:
- the patient may be unable to grasp doorknobs, turn keys or do buttons up