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| Hand Surgery | If You're Considering Hand Surgery
Remarkable advances have been made in recent years in treating patients with hand injuries, degenerative disorders and birth defects of the hand. In the front position of these advances have been plastic surgeons-specialists whose major interest is improving both function and appearance. Plastic surgeons go through intensive training in hand surgery, and they, together with orthopedic surgeons and general surgeons, treat patients with a wide range of hand problems.
If you're in view of hand surgery, a consultation with a plastic surgeon is a good start. The surgeon will examine you, discuss the possible methods of treatment for your problem and let you know if surgery is adequate. If it is, the surgeon will discuss the procedure thoroughly, as well as where the surgery will be performed: in the surgeon's office, an outpatient surgery center, or a hospital, the anesthesia and surgical techniques that will be used, possible risks and complications, the recovery and rehabilitation period and the probable outcome in terms of function and appearance.
Don't hesitate to ask your surgeon any questions you may have during the initial consultation-including any concerns you have about the recommended treatment and the costs involved. (Since hand surgery is performed primarily to correct physical abnormalities, it usually is covered by insurance. Check your policy or call your carrier to be sure.)
All Surgery Carries Some Uncertainty and Risk
A great deal of successful hand operations are performed each year. Whereas the procedures are generally safe when performed by a qualified and experienced plastic surgeon, complications can arise.
Regardless of the hand surgery type, the potential complications take in: infection, poor healing, blood clots, loss of feeling or motion and adverse reactions to the anesthesia. Such complications are infrequent, yet, and they can commonly be treated. You can reduce your risks by choosing a qualified surgeon and by strictly following his or her advice.
Hand Injuries
Among the most regular procedures in hand surgery are those done to repair injured hands, including injuries to the tendons, nerves, blood vessels, and joints; fractured bones; burns, cuts and other injuries to the skin. Current techniques have greatly improved the surgeon's ability to restore function and appearance, even in severe injuries.
Using modern techniques, surgeons are able to repair burn-injured hands. Hands that require nerve reconstruction - repairing injuries to the tendons, nerves, blood vessels, and joints – may undergo the following surgical techniques:
1. Grafts - transfer of skin, bone, nerves or other tissue from a healthy part of the body -- repairs the injured part.
2. Flap surgery - moving the skin along with its underlying fat, blood vessels, and muscle from a healthy part of the body to the injured site is also an option.
3. Replantation or transplantation - restoring accidentally amputated fingers or hands using microsurgery, an extremely precise and delicate surgery performed under magnification is another option that may require several operations over an extended period of time.
Mostly, surgery can restore a significant degree of feeling and function to injured hands. However, recovery may take months, and a period of hand therapy will most often be needed (see Recovery and rehabilitation below.
Recovery and Rehabilitation
As the hand is a very perceptive part of the body, you may undergo mild to severe pain in the after-surgery period. Your surgeon can prescribe injections or oral medication to make you more comfortable. General term your hand must stay immobilized and the period you resume your normal activities depends on the type and extent of surgery and on how fast you heal.
To enhance your recovery and give you the fullest possible use of your hand, your surgeon may recommend a course of rehabilitation - physical and occupational therapy - under the direction of a trained hand therapist. Your therapy may comprise hand exercises, heat and massage therapy, electrical nerve stimulation, splinting, traction, and special wrappings to control swelling. Take into account that surgery is just the foundation for recovery. It's vital that you follow the therapist's instructions and complete the entire course of therapy if you want to regain the maximum use of your hand.
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