Clinical significance
Anomalies, injuries and diseases
A rare anatomical variation affects 1 in 500 humans, in which the individual has more than the usual number of digits; this is known as polydactyly. A human may also be born without one or more fingers or underdevelopment of some fingers such as symbrachydactyly. Extra fingers can be functional. One individual with seven fingers not only used them but claimed that they "gave him some advantages in playing the piano".Phalanges are commonly fractured. A damaged tendon can cause significant loss of function in fine motor control, such as with a mallet finger. They can be damaged by cold, including frostbite and non-freezing cold injury (NFCI); and heat, including burns. The fingers are commonly affected by diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and gout. Diabetics often use the fingers to obtain blood samples for regular blood sugar testing. Raynauds phenomenon and Paroxysmal hand hematoma are neurovascular disorders that affects the fingers. Research has linked the ratio of lengths between the index and ring fingers to higher levels of testosterone, and to various physical and behavioral traits such as penis length and risk for development of alcohol dependence or video game addiction. Etymology
The English word finger stems from Old English finger, ultimately from Proto-Germanic *fingraz (finger). It is cognate with Gothic figgrs, Old Norse fingr, or Old High German fingar. Linguists generally assume that *fingraz is a ro-stem deriving from a previous form *fimfe, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *pénkʷe (five).The name pinkie derives from Dutch pinkje, of uncertain origin.
Treatment
Surgery has been the most common form of treatment for both localized: 101 : 361  and diffuse TGCT. : 103 : 361 : 1  After surgery, patients may receive physical therapy in order to help rehabilitate affected joints. However, recurrence of TGCT after surgery is common, with a higher rate of recurrence for diffuse TGCT than for localized TGCT. : 361  In cases of recurrent or resistant disease, multiple surgeries, total joint arthroplasties, or amputation may be required. : 1 A multidisciplinary approach, supplementing surgery with radiotherapy or other treatments, can also improve outcomes in cases of recurrent TGCT. In the late 2010s, treatment with CSF1R inhibitors emerged as an option that may help improve functionality for patients with recurrent TGCT or TGCT that is not easily managed by surgery. : 361

Epidemiology
A study conducted in the Netherlands estimated that the worldwide incidence of TGCT is 43 cases per million person-years. The majority – 39 cases per million person-years – were estimated to be localized TGCT; the remaining 4 cases per million person-years were estimated to be diffuse TGCT. TGCT can occur in patients of any age, but people with localized TGCT are typically between 30 and 50 years old,: 100–101  while diffuse TGCT tends to affect people under the age of 40.: 102–103

See also
Fibroma of tendon sheath
List of cutaneous conditions

References


== External links ==