Hand surgery refers to procedures performed to treat traumatic injuries or loss of function resulting from such diseases as advanced arthritis of the hand.
The purpose of hand surgery is the treatment of a broad range of problems that affect the hand, whether they result from cuts, burns, crushing injuries to the hand, or disease processes. Hand surgery includes procedures that treat traumatic injuries of the hands, including closed-fist injuries; congenital deformities; repetitive stress injuries; deformities caused by arthritis and similar disorders affecting the joints; nail problems; and tendon repair .
The central priority of the hand surgeon is adequate reconstruction of the skin, bone, nerve, tendon, and joint(s) in the hand. Proper repair of any cuts, tears, or burns in the skin will help to ensure a wound free of infection and will provide cover for the anatomical structures beneath the skin. Early repair and grafting is an essential component of hand surgery. Nerve repair is important because a delay in reconnecting the nerve fibers may affect the recovery of sensation in the hand. Restoration of sensation in the hand is necessary if the patient is to recover a reasonable level of functionality. Next, the bones in the hand must be stabilized in a fixed position before the surgeon can repair joints or tendons. Joint mobility may be restored by specific tendon repairs or grafts. In some cases, the patient's hand may require several operations over a period of time to complete the repair.
The demographics of hand injuries and disorders depend on the specific injury or disorder in question. Repetitive stress injuries (RSIs) of the hands are often related to occupation; for example, nurse anesthetists, dental hygienists, keyboard instrumentalists, word processors, violinists, and some assembly line workers are at relatively high risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome or tendinitis of the fingers related to their work. Nearly 17% of all disabling work injuries in the United States involve the fingers, most often when the finger strikes or is jammed against a hard surface. Over 25% of athletic injuries involve the hand or wrist.
In terms of age groups, children under the age of six are the most likely to be affected by crushing or burning injuries of the hand. Closed-fist injuries, which frequently involve infection of the hand resulting from a human bite, are almost entirely found in males between the ages of 15 and 35. Pain or loss of function in the hands resulting from osteoarthritis, however, is found most often in middle-aged or older adults, and affects women as often as men.
Some specific categories of conditions that may require hand surgery include:
Congenital malformations. The most common congenital hand deformity is syndactyly, in which two or more fingers are fused together or joined by webbing; and polydactyly, in which the person is born with an extra finger, often a duplication of the thumb.
Infections. Hand surgeons treat many different types of infections, including paronychia, an infection resulting from a penetrating injury to the nail; felon, an inflammation of the deeper tissue under the fingertip resulting in an abscess; suppurative tenosynovitis, an infection of the flexor tendon sheath of the fingers or thumb; and deeper infections that often result from human or animal bites.
Tumors. The most common tumor of the hand is the ganglion cyst, which is a mass of tissue fluid arising from a joint or tendon space. Giant cell tumors are the second most common hand tumor. These tumors usually arise from joints or tendon sheaths and are yellow-brown in color. The third type of hand tumor is a lipoma, which is a benign tumor that occurs in fatty tissue.
Nerve compression syndromes. These syndromes occur when a peripheral nerve is compressed, usually because of an anatomic or developmental problem, infection or trauma. For example, carpal tunnel syndrome develops when a large nerve in the arm called the median nerve is subjected to pressure building up inside the carpal tunnel, which is a passageway through the wrist. This pressure on the nerve may result from injury, overuse of the hand and wrist, fluid retention during pregnancy, or rheumatoid arthritis. The patient may experience tingling or aching sensations, numbness, and a loss of function in the hand. The ulnar nerve is another large nerve in the arm that runs along the little finger. Compression of the ulnar nerve at the elbow can cause symptoms that typically include aching pain, numbness and paresthesias.
Amputation . Some traumatic injuries result in the loss of a finger or the entire hand, requiring reattachment or replantation. Crushing injuries of the hand have the lowest chance of a successful outcome. Children and young adults have the best chances for recovery following surgery to repair an accidental amputation.
Fractures and dislocations. Distal phalangeal fractures (breaking the bone of a finger above the first joint towards the tip of the finger) are the most commonly encountered fractures of the hand. They often occur while playing sports.
Fingertip injury. Fingertip injuries are extremely dangerous since they comprise the most common hand injuries and can lead to significant disability. Fingertip injuries can cause damage to the tendons, nerves, or veins in the hands.
There are a number of different procedures that may be involved in hand surgery, with a few general principles that are applicable to all cases: operative planning; preparing and draping the patient; hair removal; tourniquet usage; the use of special surgical instruments ; magnification (special visualization attachments); and postoperative care . The operative preplanning stage is vitally important since it allows for the best operative technique. The hand to be operated on is shaved and washed with an antiseptic for five minutes. A tourniquet will be placed on the patient's arm to minimize blood loss; special inflation cuffs are available for this purpose.
The four basic instruments used in hand surgery include a knife, small forceps, dissecting scissors, and mosquito hemostats. A standard drill with small steel points is used to drill holes in bone during reconstructive bone surgery. Additionally, visualization of small anatomical structures is essential during hand surgery. Frequently, the hand surgeon may use wire loupes (a special instrument held in place on top of the surgeon's head) or a double-headed binocular microscope in order to see the tendons, blood vessels, muscles, and other structures in the hand.
In most cases, the anesthesiologist will administer a regional nerve block to keep the patient comfortable during the procedure. The patient is usually positioned lying on the back with the affected arm extended on a hand platform. If the surgeon is performing a bone reconstruction, he or she may require such special instruments as a drill, metal plates and/or screws, and steel wires (K-wires). Arteries and veins should be reconnected without tension. If this cannot be done the hand surgeon must take out a piece of vein from another place in the patient's body and use it to reconstruct the vein in the hand. This process is called a venous graft. Nerves damaged as a result of traumatic finger injuries can usually be reconnected without tension, since bone reconstruction prior to nerve surgery shortens the length of the bones in the hand. The surgeon may also perform skin grafts or skin flaps. After all the bones, nerves, and blood vessels have been repaired or reconstructed, the surgeon closes the wound and covers it with a dressing.
With the exception of emergencies requiring immediate treatment, the diagnosis of hand injuries and disorders begins with a detailed history and physical examination of the patient's hand. During the physical examination, the doctor evaluates the range of motion (ROM) in the patient's wrist and fingers. Swollen or tender areas can be felt (palpated) by the clinician. The doctor can assess sensation in the hand by very light pinpricks with a fine sterile needle. In cases of trauma to the hand, the doctor will inspect the hand for bite marks, burns, foreign objects that may be embedded, or damage to deeper anatomical structures within the hand. The tendons will be evaluated for evidence of tearing or cutting. Broken bones or joint injuries will be tender to the touch and are easily visible on x-ray imaging.
The doctor may order special tests, including radiographic imaging (x rays), wound culture , and special diagnostic tests. X rays are the most common and most useful diagnostic tools available to the hand surgeon for evaluating traumatic injuries. Wound cultures are important for assessing injuries involving bites (human or animal) as well as wounds that have been badly contaminated by foreign matter. Such other special tests as a Doppler flowmeter examination can be used to evaluate the patterns of blood flow in the hand.
Before a scheduled operation on the hand, the patient will be given standard blood tests and a physical examination to make sure that he or she does not suffer from a general medical condition that would be a contraindication to surgery.
Aftercare following hand surgery may include one or more of the following, depending on the specific procedure: oral painkilling medications; anti-inflammatory medications; antibiotics ; splinting; traction ; special dressings to reduce swelling; and heat or massage therapy. Because the hand is a very sensitive part of the body, the patient may experience severe pain for several days after surgery. The surgeon may prescribe injections of painkilling drugs to manage the patient's discomfort.
Exercise therapy is an important part of aftercare for most patients who are recovering from hand surgery. A rehabilitation hand specialist will demonstrate exercises for the hand, instruct the patient in proper wound care , massage the hand and wrist, and perform an ongoing assessment of the patient's recovery of strength and range of motion in the hand.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the most common complications associated with hand surgery are the following:
Complications are relatively infrequent with hand surgery, however, and most can be successfully treated.
Normal results for hand surgery depend on the nature of the injury or disorder being treated.
Mortality following hand surgery is virtually unknown. The rates of complications depend on the nature of the patient's disorder or injury and the specific surgical procedure used to treat it.
Some disorders that affect the hand, such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, may be managed with such nonsurgical treatments as splinting, medications, physical therapy, or heat. Fractures, amputations, burns, bite injuries, congenital deformities, and severe cases of compression syndromes usually require surgery.
"Common Hand Disorders." Section 5, Chapter 61 in The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy , edited by Mark H. Beers, MD, and Robert Berkow, MD. Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck Research Laboratories, 1999.
Townsend, Courtney, et al., eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery , 16th ed. Philadelphia, PA: W. B. Saunders Company, 2001.
Chu, M. M. "Splinting Programmes for Tendon Injuries." Hand Surgery 7 (December 2002): 243-249.
Diaz, J. H. "Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Female Nurse Anesthetists Versus Operating Room Nurses: Prevalence, Laterality, and Impact of Handedness." Anesthesia and Analgesia 93 (October 2001): 975-980.
Johnstone, B. R. "Proximal Interphalangeal Joint Surface Replacement Arthroplasty." Hand Surgery 6 (July 2001): 1-11.
Perron, A. D., M. D. Miller, and W. J. Brady. "Orthopedic Pitfalls in the ED: Fight Bite." American Journal of Emergency Medicine 20 (March 2002): 114-117.
Rettig, A. C. "Wrist and Hand Overuse Syndromes." Clinics in Sports Medicine 20 (July 2001): 591-611.
American Association for Hand Surgery. 20 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 700, Chicago, IL 60602. (321) 236-3307. http://www.handsurgery.org .
American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). 444 East Algonquin Road, Arlington Heights, IL 60005. (847) 228-9900. http://www.plasticsurgery.org .
American Society for Surgery of the Hand. 6300 North River Road, Suite 600. Rosemont, IL 60018. (847) 384-1435. http://www.assh.org .
American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Procedures: Hand Surgery . [June 29, 2003]. http://www.plasticsurgery.org/public_education/procedures/HandSurgery.cfm .
Laith Farid Gulli, M.D., M.S.
Bilal Nasser, M.D., M.S.
Robert Ramirez, B.S.
Nicole Mallory, M.S., PA-C
Hand surgery is usually performed by a microsurgeon, who may be a plastic surgeon (a surgeon with five years of general surgery training plus two years of plastic surgery training and another one to two years of training in microneurovascular surgery) or an orthopedic surgeon (a surgeon with one year of general surgery training, five years of orthopedic surgery training and additional years in microsurgery training).
Hand therapists are usually occupational therapists who have received specialized training in hand rehabilitation and are certified in hand therapy.
I was also told that Bone stimulation would help with the healing process. Can you elaborate?
Thank you,
Stephen
I would like to know if after my thumb heals, will be able to touch the tips of my two middle fingers. I am a violinist and I am asking if I will be able to hold and use my bow again.
year old the fist of the hand is always folded and its not like the other right hand that
has no defects, please can i get help from you guys ? I am from Nigeria.
Recently, my right hand index finger bone has broken due to the bike accident and same has been healed completely now. But I can’t able to fold the finger like before even completing the 10 days physiotherapy. May I know the reason for this and please advise what type of treatment required to get the normal finger activity?
Thanks,
Bharani
I WAKE UP WITH SHOOTING PAINS IN MY FINGERS & THE SIDE OF MY PALM. WENT TO MY DOCTOR
& SHE SAYS NOW I HAVE CARPAL TUNNEL.. IN A BRACE 24/7 & THE SHOOTING PAINS ARE NOT
GOING AWAY.. HOW MUCH LONGER TILL MY HAND HEALS? HAND SURGERY IS VERY PAINFUL..
Fast Forward 4 months. I have an inch wide and very thick scar running down my middle finger and the center of my palm from the repeated surgeries.My middle finger is permanently bent at a 45 degree angle. Its my dominant hand, and i cannot even so much as slighlty make a fist or close my palm. I cannot grasp an object, open a door, brush my own hair,hook my bra, drive my car which has a stick shift, wash dishes because i cant hold a glass,things i never though about and took for granted have become impossible. I was repeatedly told by the ortho practice that it would get better with physical therapy but it hasnt...if anything its gotten worse with the development of thickening scar tissue. I am a pianist, teach school and piano part time, and have done so for 30 years. No longer can i play anything at all with my right hand. Cant type, text, write...its SO frustrating! And here's the part that i cannot understand. Wile in the hospital i was given massive amounts of painkillers, but that stopped at my discharge. I cant even get a tylenol 3 despite the obvious deformity in my hand, surgical records showing my diagnosis of Acute Infectious Chronic Stenosing Tenosynovitis with Major complications. ( the sepsis...ect. ) My hand aches almost all the time, but whats worse is i have an almost constant severe burning pain that runs down the finger and into the palm. Nothing ive been given since discharge helps. I realize i cant take dilaudid injections as i di in the hospital but Im losing my mind with this! I was put on neurontin that is supposed to help some with post operative nerve pain but i cant tell a difference. I am not a drug addict. But i cannot tell you how upsetting it is to be in pain and doctors either dont believe you, dont care, or both. Am I the only one that has suffered from this kind of pain for months after multiple hand surgeries caused by severe infection? After the very last surgery, when the dr decided to leave my finger and hand open, i could literally see all the way through my palm and all the ligaments. There was so much damage from repeated surgeries, so much scar tissue, my hand is deformed.
I dont see how i will ever play piano again, much less write with my left hand, grasp a glass, open a door, ect since i cannot make a fist. Hopefully in time there will be SOMEONE who can help. But Im not crazy...there has to be some explanation as to why it still hurts like this! My email is elespratt@yahoo.com Any advice or suggestions or even hearing from someone who perhaps has had a similar experience might give me some hope and perspective.Anything would be much appreciated.
My Nephew was fixing the window and the glass fell on he's hand, had a very deep and bad cut, he had surgery he has lost the use of he's hand only has 30% of use.
but from the time of the operation 5 months ago he has pins and needles continuously, 24/7, please help me find a doctor / Surgeon that can help him, he is 40 years old.
Awaiting your reply.
Ms Singh
I suffered a traumatic amputation of my finger I went to ER and the surgeon managed to reattach my finger it has been 6 days post surgery... the pain is unbearable 😔😔😔😔aspecialy at night is that Normal...cause I get the feeling my family thinks I am making more of it...