Two-point discrimination distances in the normal hand and forearm: application to various methods of fingertip reconstruction.

Two-point discrimination in the hand and forearm is best during the third decade of life. In the fingertips, the ulnar digits are more discriminating than the radial digits. Males and females have equal two-point discrimination during each age decade. Fingertips are twice as discriminating as the thenar and hypothenar areas, and the thenar and hypothenar areas are twice as discriminating as the volar side of the wrist; the wrist is twice as discriminating as the forearm. The Kleinert and Kutler flaps demonstrated the best two-point discrimination among the repaired fingertips.