Claw-hand Health Dictionary

In structure, the hand has a bony basis of eight small carpal bones in the wrist, ?ve metacarpal bones in the ?eshy part of the hand, and three phalanges in each ?nger – two only in the thumb. From the muscles of the forearm, 12 strong tendons run in front of the wrist. Of these, nine go to the ?ngers and thumb and are bound down by a strong band, the ?exor retinaculum, in front of the wrist. They are enclosed in a complicated synovial sheath, and pass through the palm and down the ?ngers. Behind the wrist, 12 tendons likewise cross from forearm to hand.

Forming the ball of the thumb and that of the little ?nger, and ?lling up the gaps between the metacarpal bones, are other muscles, which act to separate and bring together the ?ngers, and to bend them at their ?rst joints (knuckles).... hand

A disadvantage for a given individual, resulting from an impairment or a disability that limits or prevents the fulfilment of a role that is normal (depending on age, sex and social and cultural practice) for that individual. The term handicap thus reflects interaction with, and adaptation to, the individual’s surroundings. See also “disability”; “impairment”.... handicap

Claw-foot, or PES CAVUS, is a familial deformity of the foot characterised by an abnormally high arch of the foot accompanied by shortening of the foot, clawing of the toes, and inversion, or turning inwards, of the foot and heel. Its main e?ect is to impair the resilience of the foot resulting in a sti? gait and aching pain. Milder cases are treated with special shoes ?tted with a sponge rubber insole. More severe cases may require surgical treatment.... claw-foot

A contagious disease due to infection with coxsackie A16 virus (see COXSACKIE VIRUSES). Most common in children, the incubation period is 3–5 days. It is characterised by an eruption of blisters on the palms and the feet (often the toes), and in the mouth. The disease

has no connection with foot and mouth disease in cattle, deer, pigs and sheep.... hand, foot and mouth disease

See LEARNING DISABILITY.... mental handicap

Chapped hands occur in cold weather, when reduced sweat and sebaceous activity leads to decreased natural protection of the skin. Prolonged immersion in soapy water, followed by exposure to cold air, results in cracking of the skin.

Prevention consists of minimising exposure to detergents and soapy water, and wearing rubber gloves for all routine household duties.... chapped hands

Preference for using the right or left hand. Some 90 per cent of adults use the right hand for writing; two thirds prefer the right hand for most activities requiring coordination and skill. The others are either lefthanded or ambidextrous (able to use both hands equally well).

Handedness is related to the division of the brain into 2 hemispheres, each of which controls movement and sensation on the opposite side of the body.

In most right-handed people the speech centre is in the left brain hemisphere.

Inheritance is probably the most important factor in determining handedness.... handedness

See Uña de gato.... cat’s claw

See CLAW-FOOT.... claw-toes

A rare congenital abnormality characterised by the absence of one or more ?ngers and a deep central cleft that divides the hand into two. It is sometimes known as lobster hand. It may be accompanied by other congenital defects, such as CLEFT FOOT, absent permanent teeth, CLEFT PALATE (and/or lip), absence of the nails and defects of the eye.... cleft hand

(Turkish) A woman with an infectious smile... hande

Looking for articles, not by searching electronic databases, but by systematically going through journals.... handsearching

A systematic taxonomy of the consequences of injury and disease. See “disability”; “handicap”; “impairment”.... international classification of impairments, disabilities and handicaps (icidh)

Employment, Luck, Protection, Money, Travel... lucky hand

Harpagophytum procumbens D.C. Rhizome. Native of the Kalahari Desert.

Keynote: rheumatism. A versatile remedy.

Constituents: flavonoids, iridoid glycosides.

Action: anti-inflammatory, antirheumatic, analgesic (mild), liver tonic, cholagogue, diuretic, sedative, detoxicant, stomachic, lymphatic, stimulant, cortisone-like action.

Use s. Inflammatory arthritic stiff joints. Gout. Lumbago, sciatica, polymyalgia, neuralgia, liver congestion. Gall bladder disorders. Itching skin conditions. Piles. Inflammatory conditions of the veins. Avoid in pregnancy. Not given in presence of gastric or duodenal ulcer.

Preparations: Thrice daily.

Tablets: dosage as on bottle.

Alternative: a tea is made by dissolving tablets in a cup of boiling water.

Decoction. Quarter to half a teaspoon in each cup water gently simmered 15 minutes. Dose: half a cup. Liquid Extract, BHC Vol 1. (1:1, 25 per cent ethanol). Dose: 1-2ml.

Powder. 250mg capsules; maintenance dose, 2 capsules thrice daily with meals. Or applied to open wounds for healing. ... devil’s claw

Dry skin: Avocado or Elderblossom cream.

Oily skin: Witch Hazel cream, cleansing milk or skin freshener.

To maintain healthy skin: Cucumber cleansing cream, or milk; Marigold cream.

Formula: Almond oil 2; Apricot kernel oil 1; Beeswax 1. Dissolve in a pan in gentle heat; pour into pots. To soothe chapped hands, wind burn, and for general kitchen use. ... hand cream

A deformity of unknown cause in which the end of one or more affected toes bends downwards so that the toe curls under. A painful corn may develop on the tip of the toe or on the top of the bent joint. Protective pads can relieve pressure from footwear. In severe cases, surgery may be required.... claw-toe

Pain and numbness in the hand and arm due to prolonged use of vibrating tools. Symptoms often also include blue or white coloration of the fingers and a tingling sensation in affected areas. Hand–arm vibration syndrome tends to develop slowly over years and is the result of repeated damage to blood vessels and nerves. Exposure to cold tends to aggravate the condition. There is no specific treatment, but avoiding vibrating tools is essential to prevent the disease progressing. In some cases, calcium channel blockers may help relieve some symptoms.... hand–arm vibration syndrome

Pain and stiffness affecting one shoulder and the hand on the same side; the hand may also become hot, sweaty, and swollen. Arm muscles may waste through lack of use (see Sudeck’s atrophy). The cause of shoulder–hand syndrome is unknown, but it may occur as a complication of myocardial infarction, stroke, herpes zoster, or shoulder injury. Recovery usually occurs in about 2 years. This period may be shortened by physiotherapy and corticosteroid drugs. In rare cases, a cervical sympathectomy is performed.... shoulder–hand syndrome

a piece of dental equipment (high-speed or low-speed) for holding a dental *bur or *file. It is made of corrosion-resistant materials to allow sterilization. See drill.... dental handpiece

the combination of features, often found in the hands of long-standing diabetic subjects, consisting of *Dupuytren’s contractures, knuckle pads, *carpal tunnel syndrome, *cheiroarthropathy, and sclerosing *tenosynovitis.... diabetic hand syndrome

see palmoplantar erythrodysaesthesia.... hand–foot syndrome

see Langerhans cell histiocytosis. [A. Hand (1868–1949), US paediatrician; A. Schüller (1874–1958), Austrian neurologist; H. A. Christian (1876–1951), US physician]... hand–schüller–christian disease