Hand surgery is a specialized field within microsurgery that focuses on treating injuries, deformities, or conditions affecting the hand’s function and appearance. As one of the most frequently used parts of the body, the hand plays a vital role in tasks such as writing, eating, dressing, and working. Consequently, any trauma or impairment can significantly disrupt the ability to carry out daily activities.
What is hand surgery?
Hand surgery is a specialized field of microsurgery focused on treating injuries, deformities, and diseases that affect the hand, wrist, and sometimes the forearm. The primary goals of hand surgery are to restore movement and function, as well as to enhance the external appearance when necessary.
How does it differ from conservative treatment?
Conservative treatment includes non-surgical methods such as rest, splints, medications, and physical therapy, and is usually used in simple cases or those that can improve without surgical intervention. However, hand surgery is used when conservative treatment fails or in cases that require direct and precise repair, such as complete tears, complex fractures, or nerve injuries.
What is the place of hand surgery in medical specialties?
Hand surgery is a subspecialty common to several fields, including:
- Orthopedic surgery
- Plastic surgery
- Peripheral nerve surgery
Doctors who specialize in this field undergo extensive additional training in dealing with the intricacies of the delicate hand, making this specialty one of the most advanced and versatile in surgery.
What are the conditions requiring hand surgery?
When non-surgical treatments have failed or the injury is complex, hand surgery is used to restore normal function and improve appearance as much as possible. Common issues treated by a hand surgeon:
- Problems that often require surgery (surgical conditions)
- Complex hand fractures that cannot be treated with a cast alone
- Severed tendons resulting from severe trauma or wounds
- Nerve injuries that cause loss of sensation or movement in the hand
- Hand tumors, whether cystic or solid
- Congenital deformities such as extra fingers or fused fingers
- Medical problems or injuries that may be treated surgically or conservatively (may include non-surgical treatment):
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Tendinitis
- Wrist pain
- Sports hand and wrist injuries
- Trigger finger
- Arthritis
Do all patients who visit a hand surgeon require surgery?
Not necessarily, in many cases, surgery is not the first option; your hand surgeon may recommend non-surgical treatments such as:
- Medications to relieve inflammation or pain
- Splints to stabilize an injured joint or finger
- Physical therapy to improve mobility and strength
- Local injections to treat inflammation or temporarily relieve symptoms
These options are often used as an initial treatment or when the condition does not require immediate surgical intervention.
Types of hand surgery
Many types of surgery can be performed on the hand, depending on the type and cause of the issue, including:
- Skin grafting through hand surgery: Used to replace skin lost as a result of burns or injuries, skin is taken from another area of the body and transplanted to the site of the injury.
- Surgical skin flaps: Similar to grafting, but also involves the supporting vessels and tissues, and is used in cases with poor blood perfusion.
- Closed reduction and stabilization via hand surgery: To return bones to normal after a fracture, using wires, splints, or braces.
- Nerve repair: If the nerve does not heal spontaneously, surgery can be performed within 3-6 weeks, sometimes involving transferring or grafting nerves from elsewhere in the body.
- Fasciotomy: Used to treat compartment syndrome, it aims to relieve pressure within the muscle to prevent tissue damage.
- Surgical cleaning or drainage: To treat infections or abscesses, involves removing pus or dead tissue.
- Joint replacement: Performed in cases of severe arthritis, the joint is replaced with an artificial joint made of silicone or metal.
- Replantation: A very precise operation to reattach an amputated finger or hand, using microscopic tools.
- Tendon repair through hand surgery: Performed to treat tears or ruptures.
What happens during recovery?
During the recovery period after surgery, physical therapy is an essential part of the recovery plan, as it helps restore the flexibility and strength of the hand and prevents stiffness or fibrosis. The recovery time varies depending on the type of surgery. Still, it often ranges between 4 and 12 weeks, and the patient can gradually return to daily activities a few weeks after the surgery, with some restrictions until the recovery is complete.
What are the risks of hand surgery?
Most surgeries involve risks associated with anesthesia and bleeding. Other risks depend on the type of surgery performed, including:
- Joint stiffness or reduced range of motion
- Infection
- Incomplete wound healing
- Loss of sensation or movement in the hand or fingers
- Forming blood clots
Finally, if you are dealing with a hand condition that affects your daily routine, consider visiting Bimarestan Medical Center, where dedicated specialists in hand surgery offer precise consultations and cutting-edge treatments to help you regain function and mobility safely and effectively.
Sources:
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. (n.d.). What is a hand surgeon? OrthoInfo
- Johns Hopkins Medicine. (n.d.). Hand surgery
