Five fingers unfavorable stiffness

To support a rating under this code, medical records should document that all five digits of the affected hand have ankylosis that qualifies as unfavorable under the regulation's definitions. Range-of-motion measurements from a physical examination are central: examiners record how far each finger can flex and whether the fingertip closes to within two inches of the proximal transverse crease of the palm. For the thumb, records should show the gap between the thumb pad and the fingers during attempted opposition. X-rays or imaging can confirm fixed joint positions, rotation, or angulation of a bone.

Because the rating differs by hand dominance, evidence that clearly identifies which hand is your major (dominant) and which is your minor (nondominant) hand is relevant. Statements from you or people who know you describing how the stiffness affects gripping, lifting, writing, or other daily tasks help show the functional impact. If a prosthetic joint has been implanted in any of these fingers, records of that procedure are also relevant, since separate rules apply to prosthetic replacements.