Talk Through the Hand: Upper-Extremity Injury and Surgical Considerations in Sign Language Users

Sign language is a predominant form of nonverbal communication in the United States with 7 million signers nationally, one million of which are deaf or hard-of-hearing. This population is particularly vulnerable to impaired communication when confronting upper-extremity impairment resulting from extensive long-term use in their communication. Given the high importance of adequate upper-extremity mobility for sign language users, hand surgeons must carefully choose the appropriate treatment modalities to minimize disruptions in this population's ability to communicate in their daily lives. This article provides important background and clinical considerations when working with such patients.