Hand of benediction

The hand of benediction results from prolonged compression or injury of the median nerve at the forearm or elbow.

The term "hand of benediction" refers to damage of the median nerve, however it is a misleading name because the patients with this median nerve problem usually can flex all fingers except for the index finger. The index finger is still flexed at the MCP joint when the ulnar nerve innervated muscles (the interossei muscles) are still working. The index finger is not flexed at the PIP and DIP joint, which looks like a pointing finger. Pointing Finger is therefore a much better term to recognize this condition.

The middle finger is flexed because of the connection between the FDP tendons, which is called the Quadriga phenomena.

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