ABSTRACT
Hand injuries are important out of all proportion to their apparent severity, because of the need for perfect function. Local oedema and stiffness of the joints – common accompaniments of all injuries – are more threatening in the hand than anywhere else. Fractures may heal and joints re-stabilize, and yet the patient may still be left with a useless hand because of insufficient attention to splintage, the prevention of swelling, the preservation of movement and rehabilitation.
