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Lumbrical muscle injury - hand

Case contributed by Maulik S Patel
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

A few days prior to the presentation, a patient had lifted a heavy object using the left hand. Presented with pain and mild swelling in the palm of the hand. Finger movements are normal.

Patient Data

Age: 35 years
Gender: Male
ultrasound

There is edema and hypoechoic echopattern involving 3rd and 4th lumbricals. There is no muscle tear. There is mild soft-tissue edema locally without any collection. Flexures of digits are intact and normal.

Case Discussion

A male patient had lifted a heavy object with the left hand followed by pain and mild swelling in the palm of the hand. Ultrasound shows edematous and hypoechoic muscle bellies of 3rd and 4th lumbricals which correlated with the site of pain. Lumbricals are small muscles in hand and feet. Injury to lumbrical muscles is common in rock-climbers.

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