Wrist and hand examination and interpretation.

Hand rehabilitation is an area with the potential for providing orthopaedic physical therapists a challenging and rewarding practice. However, success in treating the patient with hand dysfunction is closely associated with the therapist's understanding of essential anatomic and pathokinesiologic principles and the related ability to adequately evaluate, plan, and perform treatment. The first article (Wadsworth CT: Clinical anatomy and mechanics of the wrist and hand. J. Orthop Sports Phys Ther 4:205-216) in this two-part series covered the background anatomic and pathokinesiologic concepts. This, the second article of the series, describes the format for examination of the patient with hand dysfunction and presents a practical but comprehensive evaluation form for clinical use. It also supplies information for interpretation of the examination which lays the foundation for goal setting and treatment planning.J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1983;5(3):108-120.