Anatomy of The Hand and Wrist

The human hand is very complex and delicate in structure. Hand surgery requires a totally different surgical approach whether treating fractures, arthritis or deformities, and traditionally includes treatment of the entire hand, wrist and forearm. This whole region works as a single unit, and the dysfunction of a single part needs consideration of the whole. An additional year of training (fellowship) is required for those orthopedic surgeons seeking certification in hand surgery. Houston Orthopedic Institute’s fellowship-trained physicians treat conditions involving the bones, tendons, and muscles of the hands, wrist and forearm. Under their experienced guidance, your recovery will be expertly diagnosed and carefully monitored from start to successful recovery.

The hand is composed of many small bones called carpals, metacarpals and phalanges. The two bones of the lower arm -- the radius and the ulna -- meet at the hand to form the wrist.

The Median and Ulnar nerves are the major nerves of the hand, running the length of the arm to transmit electrical impulses to and from the brain to create movement and sensation.