hand

Akin to other surgical procedures, hand surgeries also have its share of failures, success, and complications.

That being said, it is imperative for likely candidates for orthopaedic hand surgery to be in the know as to the possible risks and complications involved with the procedure.

Patients who have undergone orthopaedic hand surgery often complain about one issue, presumably one of the most common complications of the surgery—hand stiffness.

Stiffness of the hand encapsulates pretty much all the effects of post-surgery.

In majority of the cases, hand stiffness can be attributed to swelling and immobilization secondary to the injury and the procedure itself.

Fortunately, there are post-surgery guidelines that are priority based in place to help ensure the risk of complications becomes minimal.

Pre-Surgery Priorities

Prior to the surgery, one of the primary priorities is determining the extent of the injury.

Once the severity of the injury has been established, the next management priority would be to fix the damage, reconstruct the affected areas, and preserve as much of the good tissues as possible.

Oftentimes, the patient is let in on the discussion to help ensure the procedure is tailored to their unique and specific needs.

Likely Surgery Complications

Just like other surgeries, certain complications can arise from diverse hand surgeries.

With that in mind, the importance for pre-surgery guidelines to be strictly adhered to cannot be overstated.

Understandably, to significantly minimize the risk of any complications, surgeries are to some extent tailor made for the patient, with all key factors considered, including possible underlying diseases.

Surgery complications are actually more common than people think.

Some of the likely complications that can arise from hand surgery includes:

• Needle stick injuries
• Toxic shock syndrome
• Prior axillary lymphadenectomy
• Tourniquet palsy
• Anesthesia complications

Post-Surgery Priorities

After the procedure, the common priority is to ensure there is adequate blood supply so the healing process can take place.

Fortunately, there is revascularization, aggressive debridement, and other techniques to help ensure adequate blood supply is facilitated.

Yet another concern after surgery is the prevention of edema.

However, this aspect can be remedied through elevation of the affected area and proper mobility.

Pain Management

While there is a certain level of discomfort that can be expected after surgery, it is reassuring to know that pain control advancements have made management of pain relatively easier.

Nowadays, there are already many types of medications that can help effectively control post-operative pain.

Some of these medications include opioids, anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs, and local anesthetics.

Aside from helping reduce and ease the pain, pain medications can also help ensure patients feel more comfortable as soon as possible.

When there is comfort and pain is minimal, the patient will not only be able to move around sooner but will also regain strength faster.

Below are some of the pain medications used to control pain after hand surgery:

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

NSAIDs are prescribed to ease mild to moderate pain.

NSAIDs are also often used with opioids to help manage post-surgery pain that is moderate to severe.

Common examples NSAIDs include ibuprofen, aspirin, and naproxen.

Opioid analgesics

When treating moderate to severe pain, opioids are considered ideal.

It is also used when managing short-term post-surgery pain.

Opioids work by attaching themselves to opioid receptors found in the body and blocking pain transmissions to the brain.

Opioids are also given through different means—by mouth, under the tongue, through the skin or directly into the bloodstream.

Opioids have also been known to work rapidly and will allow patients to be more active during the day and get sufficient rest at night.

If you are a candidate for orthopaedic hand surgery, visit www.bjios.sg right now for expert help.

Orthopaedic hand surgery is a branch in medicine that involves a broad spectrum of procedures.

It encompasses different kinds of surgery that aims to bring back the hand’s functionality.

Surgeons that perform these types of surgery also aims to restore part (or when possible, full) usability of the upper extremities, specifically the hands and the fingers.

In addition, the procedure is also carried out to make the affected area look as normal as possible.

Orthopaedic hand surgery is carried out to resolve different scenarios.

For instance, it is the likely resolution for those who are suffering from different hand injuries, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and other damages in the hand structure.

In some cases, the structures inside the hand degenerates secondary to some underlying illnesses.

The procedure is also performed when there are congenital defects or infections that result from trauma or disease.

Some of the most common orthopaedic hand surgery include:

Skin Flaps

This procedure entails fixing conditions that result to extensive damage to the tissues or vessels.

Just like skin grafts, skin flaps involve using a healthy part of the skin taken from another area or part of the body together with the underlying vessels.

This is done to give the injured part adequate blood supply.

Tendon Repair

Since tendons are complex structures, this type of surgery is considered relatively challenging.

Damage to the tendon can be caused by numerous factors—rupture, trauma, and infection to name a few.

The following are the 3 types of tendon repair surgery often carried out: primary, delayed, and secondary.

Fasciotomy

This type of hand surgery is carried out to resolve compartment syndrome.

Compartment syndrome occurs when there is pressure or swelling trapped in a small space in the body secondary to injury.

When left unattended and untreated, the condition can escalate into something more serious and may cause change in the color or the nailbeds or fingers.

Nerve Repairs

When there is blunt trauma involved, there is a high possibility for the nerves found in the hand to become damaged.

Traumas can sometimes result to loss of both function and sensitivity.

Skin Grafts

Skin grafts can be carried out in any part of the body that is covered in skin.

The procedure involves attaching the skin from another body part and using it in place of the damaged skin in the hand.

In most cases, this type of surgery is performed when there are injuries, trauma, or finger amputations.

The healthy skin attached to the damaged part is called donor site.

Closed Reduction and Fixation

This procedure is performed in the case of bone fractures whether in the fingers or the hand itself.

The primary goal of this type of surgery is to realign the bone, hold it in place, and give it time to heal.

This will also require immobilization of the affected hand.

To ensure immobility, splints, casts, rods, or wires are used.

While post-surgery pain from hand surgery is often managed through pain medications, there might be other more effective means in your case.

To get the best treatment and post-operative care, visit www.bjios.sg now.

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.