surgery

While taken for granted most of the time, the significance of the human hands cannot be overlooked.

Activities considered routine—writing, eating, working, creating art, dressing, etc.—can become extra challenging, if not impossible to perform without functioning hands.

Unfortunately, many hand problems occur as a result of trauma, injuries, and overuse.

Depending on the severity of the condition, treatment alternatives can range from noninvasive options to orthopaedic hand surgery.

Carpal Tunnel Release

When pressure is placed on the median nerve, carpal tunnel syndrome is likely to develop.

The condition is characterized by numbness and tingling in the hand.

In some cases, the symptoms will manifest during prolonged gripping or when positioned upright.

Treatment options can range from wearing of splint (to help give the wrist some rest) to steroid injections (to reduce swelling) to orthopaedic hand surgery.

Orthopaedic hand surgery however becomes the recommended option if the condition does not respond to other noninvasive treatment options.

After the surgery, the hand bandage will remain for at least a week or two.

Stitches however will be removed after 10 to 14 days.

Patients are most likely able to use the thumb and the fingers by then.

While performing heavy tasks will not be recommended, moving the fingers every now and then is advised.

This is done to help guarantee the tendons and the nerves do not get caught up in any scar tissue that will sometimes form after the surgery.

Trapeziectomy

The bone located in the wrist at the thumb’s base is called the trapezium.

When the joint situated there becomes afflicted with arthritis, it can result to excruciating pain and can make even the simplest of task difficult to carry out.

While the pain can eventually disappear, surgery to remove the joint and the trapezium might be advised if the pain persists.

Post-surgery, wearing a splint for at least six weeks will most likely be recommended.

Exercises to help regain hand strength and movement might also be taught.

Dupuytren’s Contracture Fasciectomy

This condition is characterized by tissues that form in the palm of the hands and the fingers.

While sometimes painless and only causes skin nodules, it can also form bands that might result to curling of the fingers.

When curling of the fingers occur, surgery will be required to release the fingers and to remove the tissue.

The surgery will often take only a day and staying in the hospital will not be required.

The skin will often heal 2 to 3 weeks after the surgery.

However, before full use of the hand becomes possible, patient will have to wait for at least 12 weeks.

In majority of the cases, hand exercises will be recommended.

A hand therapist will also need to monitor closely the hand’s function and movement.

Also, while a night extension splint will be beneficial in some cases, it is not often required.

Tendon Repair

Tendons can sometimes tear or snap.

When tendon tears or snaps occur, the condition is called tendon rupture.

While not very common, tendon ruptures can be attributed to rheumatoid arthritis and other types of inflammatory arthritis.

To heal completely, repaired tendons will need at least six weeks.

To protect the tendons while asleep, wearing a hand splint would be recommended.

Fortunately, patients can look forward to enjoying full hand recovery in just two to three months.

Knuckle (MCP Joint) Replacement

Also known as rheumatoid arthritis of the knuckles, metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint can significantly reduce hand function aside from being very painful.

Patients will often experience difficulty using the hand when the develop occurs.

When this happens, orthopaedic hand surgery is often carried out.

During the surgery, the knuckles will be replaced by small artificial joints that will also act as hinges.

Fortunately, the surgery will not only reduce the pain but it will also vastly improve the affected hand’s function.

After the surgery, a few days of rest will be needed before rehabilitation starts.

Exercises to move the fingers will be recommended and wearing a splint at least for several weeks will be required.

If you are a candidate for orthopaedic hand surgery, discover the options available for you at www.bjios.sg.

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.