There has been great interest in NiTi alloy in medical domain si nc e Buehler found its memory effect in 1963. In the recent 30 years, a lot of basi c and clinical researches of the alloy have been reported in the world. From the biomechanical viewpoint, the ossification and resorption of bone are related to the stress. Different stresses are required in the different kinds of fracture healing. Many measurements have been used to test the biomechanical properties o f the Nitinol orthopedic instruments. The clinical applications of the instrumen ts in hand surgery started in China in 1980's and resulted in satisfactory outco mes. This article summarizes the progress made in the basic researches of the ni tinol orthopedic instruments and their clinical applications in hand surgery.