Biomechanics of the wrist and hand

The hand, including the wrist, is complex in its anatomy, structure, and function. It is an integral part of most daily activities; therefore, it is predisposed to a high incidence of injury as compared with other components of the musculoskeletal system. Wrist and hand injuries are recognized as the most common occupational disorders, including pathologies such as carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), trigger nger, and tendonitis.1,2 Furthermore, wrist fractures are the most prevalent fractures occurring in the human body.3 Due to the complexity of the hand and wrist, as well as its predisposition to injury, the eld of hand surgery evolved as the rst specialized surgical eld.4,5 Biomechanics encompasses the relationship between the anatomy, structure, and function of the human body and is fundamental to understanding modern hand surgery.