Standing, sitting, or lying supine
Lateral to the patient.
With the patient's fingers in an extended or slightly flexed position of the proximal interphalangeal joint, prevent these joints from moving.
Place your fingers on the sides of the middle phalanx and possibly also on the posterior surface of the
proximal interphalangeal joint.
May I touch your hand? (or point to the demonstrated area)
Now please bend and straighten your fingers (or demonstrate).
The distal interphalangeal joints are formed by the distal end of the middle phalanges and the proximal
end of the distal phalanges. With the patient relaxed, palpate the convex middle phalanges as they
articulate with the concave distal phalanges of the 4 fingers. Palpate the joint during flexion and
extension motions.
VH ñ close up of the hand skeleton, no muscles