The hand and wrist are made up of many different bones, muscles and ligaments that enable a wide range of movements.
The following are the main structures of the hands:
Bones
The wrist is formed where the two bones of the forearm – the radius (the larger bone on the thumb side of the arm) and the ulna (the smaller bone on the pinky side) – meet the carpus. Rather than a single joint, the wrist is actually made up of multiple joints where the bones of the arm and hand meet to allow movement
The carpus is formed from eight small bones collectively referred to as the carpal bones. The carpal bones are bound in two groups of four bones:
- the pisiform, triquetrum, lunate and scaphoid on the upper end of the wrist
- the hamate, capitate, trapezoid and trapezium on the lower side of the hand.
Other bones of the hand are:
- the metacarpals – the five bones that comprise the middle part of the hand
- the phalanges (singular phalanx) – the 14 narrow bones that make up the fingers of each hand. Each finger has three phalanges (the distal, middle, and proximal); the thumb has two.
Joints are formed wherever two or more of these bones meet. Each of the fingers has three joints:
- metacarpophalangeal joint (MCP) – the joint at the base of the finger
- proximal interphalangeal joint (PIP) – the joint in the middle of the finger
- distal interphalangeal joint (DIP) – the joint closest to the fingertip.
Each thumb has two joints.
The surfaces of the bones where they meet to form joints are covered with a layer of cartilage, which allows them to glide smoothly against one another as they move. The joints are enclosed by a fibrous capsule that is lined with a thin membrane called the synovium, which secretes a fluid to lubricate the joints.
pain most of the time ,it lookes terrible
on both hands ,on my left schouder I have a bumb and my neck hurt ,is there someone who knows what to do or to take
I just take vitamins
thanks
my hands and fingers are just like yours Ida so I feel for you someday's I cry all day but than I say to myself it could be worse it is truly painful mine is osteoarthritis I keep my hands going and I have to take pain medicine, I hate having to take it but it helps me cope, but I do keep busy as best I can I hate the thought of losing the use of my hands slowly to this horrible disease.
Early morning I have to wait for hot water to wash my hands. What can I do to ease this pain.......
I just now had the pain hit my left wrist. My thumb went into position facing the little finger of the left hand. I could not move the thumb back to it's normal position for at least 10 minutes. It acted like it was paralyzed. I am a type one diabetic. These problems have been popping up for several years. This is the first time I could not move the thumb. I was recently diagnosed with severe osteoarthritis
What can I do to help myself control these symptoms?
Thank you for the opportunity to get some help. I am 67 years old and would appreciate any help you could give me. Lawreen Plumlee
I think I'll wait to have this surgery until they hurt everyday. My friend had it done and says it's wonderful not to hurt anymore. I'm 71 years old and ued to play golf but can't grip a club anymore because of stiff fingers.
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