What is hand surgery?
Hand surgery is a specialized area of plastic and reconstruction surgeries. Hands are one of the most important parts of our bodies because they enable our motion and precise handling of objects, fine motor activities and communication with the surrounding environments. Subsequently, hand surgeries are fundamental not only for the restoration of their functionality but also for ensuring the patient's quality of life.
The most frequent problems concern the nerves, tendons, muscles and bones. The treatments become necessary when we need to deal with pain, restricted movement or deformity of the hands. This process involves correct diagnosis, but also a subsequent rehabilitation, which helps the patients return the normal life.
How do I know that there is something wrong with my hand?
If you experience any of the following symptoms, your hand may not be in order and you should consider visiting a doctor:
- Tingling or numbness – If your hands frequently tingle, mainly in the thumb, index finger or middle finger areas, you may suffer from the syndrome of carpal tunnel.
- Pain when moving the fingers – Pain when bending or straightening the fingers, accompanied by a sensation of "clicking" can indicate a problem with trigger finger.
- Impaired finger moveability – If you find the straightening of fingers difficult, mainly when they are bending towards the palm, you can suffer from Dupuytren's contracture.
- Weakness in the hand – A feeling of weakness when holding objects or impaired gripping may indicate damage to the nerves or muscles in the hand area.
- Wrist pain or swelling – If you experience a pain or swelling in the wrist area, especially if the pain is permanent or if it deteriorates, you may face an issue that requires a special examination.
When experiencing these symptoms, do not to delay a visit to the doctor because early diagnosis and treatment can prevent deterioration of the condition and help restore the hand's functionality.
If you suspect a problem with your hand, you should see an orthopaedic, a hand surgeon or even a neurologist if you suffer from a damage to the nerves. These specialists are trained in the diagnoses and treatments of conditions related to hand tendons, nerves and joints.
There are several types of medical checks to confirm the diagnosis:
- Physical examination – The doctor checks moveability of the fingers, strength of the grip and sensitivity in the affected area.
- X-ray – To rule out broken bones or other bone deformities.
- Ultrasound scan – It can be used for the scanning of soft tissues such as tendons and nerves, thus detecting inflammation or damage.
- Electromyography (EMG) – This examination measures electrical activity of the muscles and nerves and is used mainly when the carpal tunnel syndrome or other nervous disorders are suspected.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – MRI helps diagnose problems that cannot be detected by other methods when a detailed image of soft tissues is required.
How to prepare for a hand surgery?
Before a hand surgery, you should follow several instructions in order to minimize risks and ensure a successful process of the surgery.
1/ Consultation with a doctor: The doctor will explain in detail the type of the surgery and its duration and answer your questions. During the consultation, you should inform the doctor of any medicines that you take, including dietary supplements.
2/ Preparation for anaesthesia: Hand surgeries are often performed under local anaesthesia, but sometimes general anaesthesia may be required. The doctor will tell you how to get prepared, e.g. whether you need to arrive with an empty stomach for the surgery.
3/ Discontinuation of medication: If you take pills that affect blood clotting, you may need to discontinue them temporarily. The doctor will inform you of this step in advance.
4/ Change of lifestyle: If you smoke, you should stop smoking before the surgery because in can slow down the healing process. Similarly, you should reduce drinking alcohol and maintain a balanced diet.
5/ Arranging of assistance: After a hand surgery, you will face a limited ability to perform everyday tasks, namely if the hand is the dominant hand. You should arrange an assistance for the household chores and routine activities in advance.
Which problems does hand surgery deal with?
Chirurgické zákroky na rukách sú nevyhnutné najmä v prípadoch, keď dochádza k stlačeniu nervov, zápalu šliach alebo obmedzeniu pohybu prstov či ruky. U nás na eveclinic riešime z oblasti chirurgie ruky toto:
1/ Carpal tunnel
This condition is caused by getting the median nerve squeezed in the wrist. The symptoms include pain, tingling and weakness in the hand, especially in the thumb, index finger and middle finger areas. The surgery consists of releasing the nerve, which alleviates or completely removes the patient's problem.
More about carpal tunnel syndrome >>
2/ Trigger finger
This condition is caused by inflammation of finger tendons, which results in the finger's reduced moveability. When trying to straighten the finger, it can "click" and subsequently "catch". The surgery involves relieving the inflammatory pressure on the tendons, thus facilitating a smooth movement of the finger without pain.
3/ Dupuytren's contracture
This condition is characterized by gradual shrinking of the palmar tendons, which causes bending of the fingers towards the palm. The affected fingers cannot be fully straightened, which affects functionality of the hand. The surgery involves removing or releasing the contracted tissue, thus restoring moveability of the fingers.
More about Dupuytren's contracture >>
Recovery after a hand surgery
The recovery depends on the type of surgery, its extent and the patient's health. Most of the treatments require 4 to 6 weeks to heal completely. During this period, you should follow the doctor's instructions and attend the prescribed checks.
After the surgery, the hand may have to be fixed by an orthosis or bandage to ensure proper healing. The immobilization period depends on the treatment but it usually takes several weeks. When the orthosis is removed, you should start rehabilitation under the guidance of a physiotherapist in order to restore the moveability, strength and fine motor activity of the hand. The rehabilitation will include exercises focused on improving flexibility and strengthening of the muscles.
After the surgery, you may experience a mild pain, which you can overcome by taking prescribed painkillers. The pain should gradually subside, but if it persists or even worsens, contact the doctor.
Most of the patients can go back to normal activities after 6 weeks. If your job requires manual skills or demanding physical tasks, the recovery may take longer.
You should always follow the doctor's recommendations and abstain from overloading the hand to avoid complications and support rapid and successful healing.
Frequently asked questions
How long does postoperative recovery take?
- The recovery period depends on the extent of the surgery, but most patients recover within 4 to 6 weeks. Return to the normal activities can be accelerated by rehabilitation.
When can I go back to work after a trigger finger surgery?
- Most of the patients can go back to work after 2–6 weeks, depending on the nature of the work and speed of the healing.
