Hand Surgery

How does the hand work?

Due to their complex and delicate structure, your hands are capable of a wide range of movements and great precision.

Approximately one-quarter of your body’s bones and over 30 muscles contribute to your hands’ movements. Most of these movements actually begin in the muscles of your forearm while those specific muscle tendons are in the hand itself.

The bones, tendons, blood vessels, and nerve fibers in your hands have only a small amount of protection from a thin layer of muscle and fat beneath your skin, making your hands vulnerable to injuries due to trauma as well as natural wear-and-tear.

What hand conditions require surgery?

A wide range of problems can affect your fingers, hand, wrist, or forearm, such as:

• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Cuts on the hand or fingers
• Sports injuries affecting the wrist or hand
• Congenital abnormalities

In some cases, degenerative changes in your hand structures, like arthritis, also require hand surgery.

What are the most common types of hand surgery?

There are numerous surgeries performed on the hand depending on your specific condition. The most common hand surgeries include:

• Tendon repair
• Nerve repairs
• Infection and wound treatment
• Joint replacement, or arthroplasty

Fractures in the hands often require a closed reduction and fixation. A closed reduction procedure realigns, or “sets,” your broken bones and they’re immobilized so they can fuse back together during the healing process.

What can I expect after hand surgery?

After your surgery, your hand may be bandaged or splinted to keep it immobilized. This immobilization can last up to several months. In many cases, your doctor restricts some of your activities based on your individual needs.

Your pain can vary from mild to severe, but your doctor works closely with you to manage your symptoms throughout the recovery process. The specifics of your post-procedure care may vary but often include:

• Heat or massage therapy
• Splinting or traction
• Bandages to control swelling
• Nerve stimulation

Another important aspect of your rehabilitation after hand surgery is physical therapy, which involves exercises specifically designed to strengthen and improve range of motion in the hands.

To learn more about hand surgery techniques offered at Southwest Orthopedic Group, LLP, call to schedule an appointment today.