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Palm (Human Anatomy): Image, Function, Diseases, and Treatments

Last Updated: Feb 25, 2023

Palm Image

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The palm is made up of numerous bones, muscles, and ligaments that work together to allow for a high degree of mobility and dexterity. The hand itself is made up of three primary categories of bones.

These are the following:

  • Phalanges are bones found in the fingers and toes of both the hands and the feet. Each hand and foot have 14 phalanges. The thumb has only two phalanges, as opposed to the other fingers, which each have three (the distal, middle, and proximal).
  • The metacarpal bones are the five bones that make up the middle section of the hand.
  • The carpal bones are the eight bones that make up the wrist. The ulna and radius bones are the two arm bones that connect to the two rows of carpal bones in the wrist.

Function of Palm

  • The palm has several important functions:
  • Helps in precise actions like sewing and writing by allowing you to grip objects without your skin sliding out of place thanks to the fascia (a layer of connective fibrous tissue) between your skin and metacarpals.
  • Contributes to your capacity for perceiving subtle differences in surface texture and touch

Diseases of Palm

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  • Boxer's Fractures: Boxer's fractures, also known as metacarpal fractures, occur when a person's hand strikes a hard surface (such a wall or another person's jaw). When these cracks are the consequence of a punch to the mouth, they might cause skin tears. A boxer's fracture is a break in the neck of the fifth metacarpal. Blood flows from the wound when a clenched fist strikes anything hard. As the distal end of the fracture moves toward the front of the fracture site, the damaged finger becomes shorter
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): Arthritis inflammation, also called rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disorder that can damage the joints of the hands, limiting the functions of those hands. Rheumatoid arthritis' most common clinical manifestation is polyarthritis affecting many joints in the hand, most often the proximal interphalangeal (PIP), metacarpophalangeal (MCP), and wrist (RA).
  • Tendonitis: Tendinitis of the wrist occurs when the tendons that join muscle to bone become inflamed. Wrist tendonitis pain might be a scorching sensation, a stabbing pain, or a constant dull ache, and it can strike suddenly or develop gradually. Depending on the source, the pain may travel as far as the elbow or as far as the fingers. You may also experience discomfort when touching or gently pressing on the injured tendon.
  • Tenosynovitis: Those who are afflicted with tenosynovitis experience excruciating pain. The hands, wrists, and feet are typically the ones that suffer damage. Frequently contributing factors include overuse, illness, and injury. Inflammation of the tendon sheath is primarily localised at the bony insertion of the affected muscle.
  • De Quervain's Syndrome: De Quervain's syndrome, also known as inflammation of the radial styloid tenosynovium. One of the most typical symptoms is the sharp pain caused by inflammation of the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist.
  • Raynaud's Disease: Raynaud's disease (ray-NOSE) causes a person's fingers and toes to go numb and cold when exposed to cold temperatures or emotional stress. Damage to the skin from Raynaud's disease is caused by a reduction in blood flow due to a constriction of the small arteries that supply the skin (vasospasm). More people in colder climates appear to be affected by it.
  • Clubbing Of The Fingers: Changes in the skin under and around the fingernails or toenails cause clubbing of the fingers. It may only take a few weeks for a desire to go partying to grow. Its symptoms usually disappear quickly when the underlying reason has been treated.
  • CRS: CRS is a term used to describe chronic pain that is confined to one or more specific areas of the body (CRPS). Most persons who suffer with CRPS also have one of the many stated causes of trauma, such as an injury or surgery. The severity of an injury does not correlate with how much it hurts.
  • Gout: Joint swelling, stiffness, and severe pain are classic symptoms of gout, a painful inflammatory illness. Gout is characterised by a chronic, cyclical buildup of crystals in the afflicted joints.
  • On-Tender Cystic Growth: Often found on the wrist's dorsal side, a ganglion (from the Greek meaning 'swelling' or 'knot') is a non-tender cystic growth. Plum-sized fruits sit with small grapes in this collection. The disorder is caused by the degeneration and mucoidization of the synovial sheath that surrounds the tendon. The cyst fluid is transparent and mucoid. It's possible that bending your wrist will cause the cyst to swell and cause excruciating discomfort.
  • Bennett's Fracture: A Bennett's fracture, which occurs at the base of the first metacarpal, is the result of excessive hyperabduction of the thumb. This fracture has caused subluxation and instability at the first carpometacarpal joint. Because of this, surgical intervention is typically necessary for a cure.

Tests for Palm

  • Physical examination of palm: An examination of the palm by a medical professional may reveal the presence of a palm fracture, a sprain, or another ailment.
  • Palm X-ray for scanning bones of palm: An X-ray film of the palm is often taken while trying to diagnose a fracture, arthritis, or any number of other conditions that may affect the joint.
  • Stress X-ray for scanning bones of palm: A film of an X-ray is taken as the physician applies pressure to an injured palm. This procedure, which may identify any palm abnormalities that are not visible on standard X-rays, is also known as a stress film or a stress test.
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI scan) for scanning of palm muscles and bones: The images of the palm that are produced by an MRI scanner have a very high level of resolution since they are created using both a powerful magnet and a computer.
  • Anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) antibody for diagnosis osteomyelitis of palm: Despite the fact that the levels can be high in other rheumatologic disorders linked with inflammatory arthritis, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, the levels are generally elevated in rheumatoid arthritis. Which can also cause pain in the palm.

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Treatment of Palm

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  • Ulnar Gutter Splint: An ulnar gutter splint can be used to immobilise a fractured 4th or 5th metacarpal. Splints are applied along the ulnar side of the forearm and hand to prevent the collateral ligaments from shortening as a result of immobilisation. This prevents you from moving your fourth and fifth fingers.
  • Arthrodesis: Joint gap obliteration by bone fusion is the goal of the surgical treatment known as arthrodesis. The joint will be immobilised permanently after this operation.
  • Physical Therapy: Physical treatment for the palm and wrist joint can include a variety of exercises that target flexibility, strength, and support.
  • RICE Therapy: Rest, Icing, Compression (with an athletic bandage or something similar), and Elevation (RICE) is a programme consisting of these measures for treating injuries. As with most injuries, a palm laceration responds well to the RICE treatment of rest, ice, compression, and elevation.
  • Palm Immobilisation: The majority of palm fractures need casting the injured palm to prevent any further movement. Several medical experts advise immobilisation as a treatment for ailments such as palm sprains.
  • Palm Surgery: Patients in dire necessity may require palm surgery. To strengthen the wrist's supporting muscles and improve its joint stability, palm surgery is a common procedure. Many different strategies exist to freeze the palm bones in place. Palm Replacement Surgery: Expert orthopaedic surgeons can perform palm replacement surgery, although the results are typically not as good as they are with wrist replacements.
  • Chopart Amputation: However, a chopart amputation, which eliminates the forefoot and midfoot while leaving the talus and calcaneus intact, should not be carried out in the presence of ischemia. Due to the damaged nature of most of the tendons that support the foot joint, this amputation is extremely risky. The lack of heel support heightens the risk associated with this surgery.
  • Triple Arthrodesis: A triple arthrodesis is a surgical procedure that permanently joins together three toes. The talocalcaneal (TC), talonavicular (TN), and calcaneocuboid (CC) joints make up these articulations (CC). A 'foot fusion' describes the specific name given to this operation. The term talonavicular arthrodesis can also be used to describe this operation. A triple arthrodesis is a type of surgery that can alleviate arthritic joint pain, correct joint abnormalities, and stabilise the joints all at once.
  • Dilwyn Evans Procedure: For mechanical instability of the palmar and plantar ligaments, a surgical procedure known as the Dilwyn Evans procedure or the Evans technique is used. Dilwyn Evans's name was given to the method in his honour.
  • Ponseti Method: One variation on the standard Ponseti treatment involves doing the entire series of operations (including the Achilles tenotomy) in a single week.

Palm Medicine

  • Antifungal Medicines: Antifungal drugs may be applied directly to the skin or consumed orally as a treatment option. There are a variety of antifungal medications, some of which include luliconazole, itraconazole, clotrimazole, and fluconazole. Cortisone Injection For Reducing Swelling Of Palm: Injections of cortisone or other steroids may be able to reduce the discomfort and inflammation that are associated with certain disorders affecting the palm. A few examples of these are dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, betamethasone, and others.
  • Nsaids For Reducing Pain In The Palm: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines, more commonly referred to as NSAIDs, are frequently prescribed to patients in order to alleviate pain in the palm. These medications are also helpful in relieving pain that is experienced in other areas of the body. Common drugs that fall under this category include ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen sodium
  • Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP): Platelet-rich plasma, also known as PRP, is a combination of growth factors that is injected into a joint, most frequently the knee or the wrist. PRP is also known as platelet-rich plasma therapy. This not only helps in reducing inflammation, but it also speeds up the healing process of damaged tissue.
  • Dmards For Reducing Pain In The Palm: Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, also known as DMARDs, are prescribed to patients suffering from rheumatic conditions such as palm pain. These drugs are effective because they alter the natural progression of the disease.
  • Nutritional Supplements For Promoting Bone Growth Of The Hand: Glucosamine and chondroitin are two examples of nutritional supplements that are used by doctors to alleviate joint discomfort and speed recovery. Hand bone growth supplements. The patient's age and current nutritional state are taken into consideration when prescribing calcium and vitamin D supplements in order to promote healthy bone formation and metabolism.
  • Tricyclic Antidepressants (Tcas) For Reducing Pain Of Palm: The use of tricyclic antidepressants, also known as TCAs, can reduce the pain associated with palmar fasciitis.
  • Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor (Snri) For Reducing Pain Of Palm: It is possible to lessen the discomfort in the palms by taking a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), which is a type of antidepressant.
  • Pregabalin For Reducing Peripheral Pain Of The Palm: It has been demonstrated that the anticonvulsant pregabalin can reduce pain in the peripheral palms. Pregabalin is used to treat neuropathic pain as well as fibromyalgia. It is also useful in the treatment of partial onset seizures when used in combination with other seizure medicines.
  • Bisphosphonates For Bone Growth In Palm: Bone-building Bisphosphonates, also known as palmitoyl phosphonate, are antiresorptives that operate by reducing the rate of bone loss or putting a stop to it altogether. Hyperuricemia That Can Help Relieve The Pain Of Gout: The xanthine oxidase inhibitors allopurinol and febuxostat, the tubular reabsorption of uric acid inhibitor probenecid, and the recombinant uricase that catalyses uric acid to water solubility are some of the effective medications used to treat gout and tumour necrosis factor alpha.
  • Antibiotics: Antibiotics are typically prescribed to patients suffering from myositis or any number of other bacterial conditions that affect the hand muscles. Antibiotics are one type of medication that can be used to treat the aforementioned illnesses.
  • Antiviral Medicine For Treating Viral Disorders Of Palm: Pharmaceuticals that can prevent palm illnesses by inhibiting the viruses that cause them: - Amantadine, rimantadine, zanamivir, oseltamivir, ribavirin, acyclovir, ganciclovir, and foscarnet are just some of the many drugs that fall under this category. Many people choose to take one or more of these medications.

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Written ByDrx Hina FirdousPhD (Pharmacology) Pursuing, M.Pharma (Pharmacology), B.Pharma - Certificate in Nutrition and Child CarePharmacology
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Reviewed ByDr. Bhupindera Jaswant SinghMD - Consultant PhysicianGeneral Physician

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