Hand Surgery

About The Treatment

Hand surgery is a specialized area of plastic surgery focused on the treatment of conditions affecting the hand, wrist, and forearm. Plastic surgeons who specialize in hand surgery are trained to address a wide range of issues, from traumatic injuries and congenital anomalies to degenerative diseases and functional impairments. The primary goals are to restore function, improve appearance, and enhance the overall quality of life for patients.

Common Conditions Treated by Hand Surgeons

Traumatic Injuries

• Fractures:

  • Broken bones in the hand or wrist.

• Dislocations:

  • Misalignment of joints.

• Lacerations:

  • Cuts that may involve tendons, nerves, and blood vessels.

• Amputations:

  • Complete or partial loss of fingers or hand.

    
    

Congenital Anomalies

• Polydactyly:

  • Extra fingers or thumbs.

    
    

• Syndactyly:

  • Webbed or fused fingers.

    
    

• Thumb Hypoplasia:

  • Underdeveloped thumb.

    
    

Degenerative and Inflammatory Conditions

• Osteoarthritis:

  • Wear and tear of joints.

    
    

• Rheumatoid Arthritis:

  • Autoimmune inflammation of joints.

    
    

• De Quervain's Tenosynovitis:

  • Inflammation of the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist.

    
    

Nerve Disorders

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome:

  • Compression of the median nerve at the wrist.

    
    

• Cubital Tunnel Syndrome:

  • Compression of the ulnar nerve at the elbow.

    
    

• Peripheral Nerve Injuries:

  • Trauma to nerves supplying the hand.

    
    

Tendon Disorders

• Trigger Finger:

  • Finger gets stuck in a bent position.

    
    

• Tendon Lacerations:

  • Cuts involving flexor or extensor tendons.

    
    

Tumors and Cysts

• Ganglion Cysts:

  • Noncancerous lumps often found on the wrist.

    
    

• Giant Cell Tumor of Tendon Sheath:

  • Benign but locally aggressive tumor.

Surgical Techniques and Procedures

Fracture Fixation

• Closed Reduction and Casting:

  • Non-surgical realignment and immobilization.

    
    

• Open Reduction and Internal Fixation (ORIF):

  • Surgical realignment using plates, screws, or pins.

    
    

Tendon Repair

• Direct Repair:

  • Suturing the cut ends of a tendon.

    
    

• Tendon Grafting:

  • Using tendons from other parts of the body to replace severely damaged ones.

    
    

• Tendon Transfers:

  • Redirecting tendons from functional muscles to replace the function of damaged muscles.

    
    

Nerve Repair

• Direct Neurorrhaphy:

  • End-to-end suturing of severed nerves.

    
    

• Nerve Grafting:

  • Using donor nerve segments to bridge gaps in damaged nerves.

    
    

• Nerve Decompression:

  • Relieving pressure on nerves (e.g., carpal tunnel release).

    
    

Joint Reconstruction

• Arthrodesis (Fusion):

  • Fusing bones to relieve pain and provide stability.

    
    

• Arthroplasty:

  • Joint replacement using artificial implants.

    
    

Microsurgery

• Replantation:

  • Reattachment of severed fingers or hands.

    
    

• Free Tissue Transfer:

  • Transplanting tissue with its blood supply from one part of the body to another.

    
    

Soft Tissue Reconstruction

• Skin Grafting:

  • Transferring skin from one area to another.

    
    

• Flap Surgery:

  • Moving tissue along with its blood supply to cover defects.

Postoperative Care and Rehabilitation

Immobilization

• Splinting or Casting:

  • To protect the surgical repair and allow healing.

    
    

Physical and Occupational Therapy

• Range of Motion Exercises:

  • To prevent stiffness and maintain joint flexibility.

    
    

• Strengthening Exercises:

  • To rebuild muscle strength.

    
    

• Functional Training:

  • To regain the ability to perform daily activities.

    
    

Pain Management

• Medications:

  • To control postoperative pain.

    
    

• Nerve Blocks:

  • For regional anesthesia and pain control.

Monitoring and Follow-Up

• Regular Check-Ups:

  • To monitor healing and detect any complications.

    
    

• Imaging:

  • X-rays or MRIs to assess the surgical site.

Advances in Hand Surgery

Minimally Invasive Techniques

• Arthroscopy: Using small incisions and a camera to perform surgery inside joints.

  
  

Robotic Surgery

• Enhanced precision in performing complex reconstructive procedures.

  
  

Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine

• Research into bioengineered tissues and stem cell therapy to improve outcomes.