Articular fractures of the hand. Part I: Guidelines for assessment.

Articular fractures of the hand represent a particularly challenging group of injuries owing to the frequent comminution of the fractured bone, disruption of a finely balanced soft-tissue sleeve, and a propensity for scarring and contractures. Assessment of these fractures must include accurate delineation of the injury, using roentgenographic and computed tomographic imaging to define articular congruency, and a precise examination to determine stability.