Systematic Diseases

The hand is known to frequently present signs or symptoms of generalized or systemic diseases.  Because the hand contains structures from the skin, muscular, skeletal, circulatory, and nervous systems, it often provides clues to diseases which are yet to be diagnosed in other parts of the body.  Presentation of complaints, lesions, symptoms or signs in the hand may alert the hand surgeon to these systemic diseases.  Although the hand surgeon may not treat all of these diseases, he is in a position to help make the diagnosis and refer the patient to a different specialist.

Female Hand Male