While unfortunate to note, there’s no denying the importance of the human hands is often overlooked.
However, the significance of the human hands cannot be overstated.
Routine day-to-day activities like eating, working, dressing, writing, creating art, etc. can become very challenging if not impossible sans functioning hands.
Unfortunately, trauma, injuries, and even overuse can result to hand problems.
Treatment options for hand injuries can range from conventional alternatives to orthopaedic hand surgery.
In most cases, the chosen treatment option will depend on the condition’s severity.
However, while not all hand conditions will require orthopaedic hand surgery, in some instances, it is considered the best option available.
Enumerated below are some of the most common hand conditions that will respond to surgery and what patients can expect during recovery:
Carpal tunnel release
Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when pressure is placed on the median nerve as it passes through the wrist.
Pain and numbness are considered two of the most common symptoms of the condition.
To minimize nerve pressure, surgery might be recommended.
Recovery
After the surgery, patient will have to wear a bandage on both the hand and the wrist. This can last for at least a week.
Ten to fourteen days after, stitches will be removed.
By that time, patients are most likely already able to use the fingers and the thumb.
However, doing heavy tasks using the affected hand will still be prohibited.
In majority of the cases, moving the fingers will be required to help ensure the nerve and the tendons do not get caught up in any scar tissue.
While recovery can often occur in less than a month, getting feelings back in the hands will often take much longer.
In some cases, the scar can become painful and sensitive for a few months.
Fortunately, the sensitivity and the ache will eventually go away on its own without any treatment interventions.
Dupytren’s contracture fasciectomy
This condition is characterized by a tissue that forms in the fingers and the palm of the hands.
While often not painful, this condition might cause bands to form resulting in curled fingers.
To remove the tissue and release the fingers, surgery is often recommended.
Fortunately, the condition will not require hospitalization so the patient is free to go home at least a few hours after the surgery.
Recovery
While healing of the skin will only take 2 to 3 weeks, it will often take 12 weeks before patient can have full use of the hands.
The hand’s movement and function will be monitored and patients will be taught hand exercises.
While not required in most cases, night splints might be recommended in some cases.
Knuckle replacement (MCP joint)
Metacarpophalangeal (MCP joints) or otherwise known as rheumatoid arthritis of the knuckles may sometimes result to damage and deformity.
Apart from being severely painful, the condition can also reduce hand function significantly.
When using the hand becomes challenging already, surgery to replace the knuckles with artificial joints might be required.
The procedure will help minimize the pain and improve finger positioning.
Recovery
Before rehabilitation can start, resting the hand for a few days after the surgery will be recommended.
Exercises to help move the fingers will also be taught to patients.
Wearing a splint during the day will also be recommended when not exercising.
In some cases, wearing nightly splints (at least for a few months) will be prescribed.
Advice on ways to properly look after the new artificial joints will also be taught to patients.
Tendon repair
Tendon ruptures in the wrist or hand are considered rare.
Most cases are often attributed to rheumatoid arthritis or other kinds of inflammatory arthritis.
Recovery
Patients will need to wait for at least six weeks for the tendons to fully heal before they can use their hands again.
To help protect the tendons while healing, splinting will be recommended.
Know more about hand surgery and what to expect after the procedure at www.bjios.sg.
