Hand surgery is an umbrella term covering many different types of surgical procedures performed on the hand to restore hand and finger function without pain.
Mostly, hand surgery is performed as a treatment of last resort to relieve hand pain and improve its functionality. But it can also be performed as an emergency treatment for certain injuries.
Let’s explore some common hand conditions and injuries and when surgical intervention is needed for them.
Common Hands Conditions That May Require Surgery
Here are some common hand and wrist conditions that may require surgery.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the most common hand conditions that require surgery. This syndrome occurs when the median nerve (the nerve that runs from your forearm into the palm) becomes squeezed at the wrist as it passes through the carpal tunnel, a narrow passageway on the palm side of the wrist made up of bones and ligaments.
Severe cases of carpal tunnel syndrome that do not get better with conservative treatments require hand surgery, called carpal tunnel release surgery. The surgery involves cutting the ligament that forms the roof of the carpal tunnel to relieve the pressure on the median nerve.
Trigger Finger
This is another common hand condition that requires surgery in severe cases. The trigger finger mostly affects the fingers and thumbs and occurs when one of the tendons that bent the fingers becomes inflamed or irritated, leading to popping or clicking sensations as the finger moves.
A trigger finger can make it hard to perform even simple daily tasks, such as typing, buttoning a shirt, or inserting a key into a lock.
Hand surgery for the trigger finger is recommended when symptoms are severe or when conservative treatments fail to provide relief. The surgery involves widening the sheath through a tiny incision in the palm so that the tendon can glide smoothly.
Dupuytren’s Contracture
Dupuytren’s contracture is where a layer of tissue under the skin in the palm of your hand at the base of your finger becomes abnormally thickened and forms nodules or cords. This abnormal thickening and tightening of the fascia (a layer of tissues under the skin) results in fingers being pulled inward toward the palm, leading to difficulty extending or straightening them.
Hand surgery is considered the treatment of last resort for Dupuytren’s contracture and is performed when you have limited use of your hand. During the surgery, an incision is made in your hand, and thickened tissues are removed.
Hand Fracture
Hand fracture refers to a break or crack in one or more hand bones due to various causes, such as falls, direct impact, sports injuries, or accidents. While some hand fractures can be treated with non-surgical treatments, such as casting, splinting, or buddy taping (taping the injured finger to an adjacent finger), complex or displaced fractures require hand surgery.
During hand surgery for complex fractures, a hand surgeon uses pins, screws, plates, or wires to stabilize the bone during healing.
Arthritis
Osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis are the most common types of arthritis that can affect your hand. Arthritis affects hand joints by targeting the joint lining or the protective cartilage covering the bone ends. Over time, the cartilage deteriorates, causing bones to be exposed and rub against each other.
Arthritis of the hand causes significant pain, swelling, stiffness, and deformity. It can also make it difficult to manage everyday tasks as you once could. Surgical approaches for hand arthritis are considered when non-surgical treatments such as medications, steroid injections, and at-home measures fail to provide pain relief.
Common surgical approaches that a hand surgeon recommends are joint fusion (using plates and screws to keep the bones of your joint together), joint replacement (using an artificial implant to replace your damaged joint), and tendon transfer (using a portion of healthy tendon to restore hand function).
Best Hand Surgeon Near Me in Miami Lakes and Plantation, FL
If you have a hand or wrist problem and are looking for a highly qualified and skilled hand surgeon, visit us here at Orthopaedic Hand and Arm Center. Our highly trained and board-certified hand surgeon has all the necessary training and experience to address a comprehensive range of hand conditions and injuries, including hand arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, Dupuytren’s contracture, hand tumors, hand fracture, and others. We also addressed injuries and conditions of the wrist, forearm, elbow, and shoulder.
To arrange a private consultation with our hand surgeon, call our staff today at (954) 635-5300 or use our convenient online appointment request form.
