The soft tissues of our hands are highly specialised.
On the back of our hands, the skin is thin, pliable and mobile to allow for supple movement of the thumb and fingers. In the palm, hand skin is thick, firm, strong and fixed (indirectly) to the bone. This way, palmar skin is excellent for handling objects and heavy use.
Over the back of the finger joints, skin uniquely folds and stretches as the joint straightens and bends.
Fingertips are uniquely specialised tissue, too. Together with the overlying fingernail, the tips give padding, tactile feedback and grip.
Great hand skin function is easily taken for granted, but also easily affected by injuries, skin lesions or burns.
Soft tissue injuries can be restrictive to hand function, painful or both. Hand therapy can help to optimise soft tissues and treat pain.
