[Dutch College of General Practitioners' practice guideline on symptoms of the hand and wrist: a summary].

The first edition of the practice guideline for general practitioners (GPs) on hand and wrist symptoms was published in January 2010 by the Dutch College of General Practitioners. This practice guideline provides GPs with pointers for the diagnosis and treatment of hand and wrist symptoms. Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) can be diagnosed on its typical clinical presentation alone. The treatment of mild symptoms of CTS, trigger finger and De Quervain's tenosynovitis is conservative, or sometimes a corticosteroid injection: more severe or persistent symptoms require referral to hospital. Mallet finger is treated with a splint for 6 weeks, surgical intervention is necessary for large avulsion fractures or persisting symptoms after treatment with a splint.