Hand Surgery
The hand is an incredibly complex body part. Treatment of injuries or conditions of the hand requires specialized knowledge of its anatomy, careful assessment and diagnosis, and meticulous technique and post-op care.
From Traumatic Injuries to Elective Hand Problems
Our surgeons treat the full range of hand injuries and conditions, including nerve compression syndromes like carpal tunnel syndrome, ganglion cysts, Dupuytren’s contracture, ongoing issues that affect the hand from diseases, and traumatic injuries.
Traumatic Injuries
Trauma to the hand is common both at work and in the home, ranging from simple skin wounds to crush injuries and amputations. Seemingly insignificant wounds can mask deeper injuries to the tendon, nerve, or vascular structures.
Carpal Tunnel
Pressure on the median nerve within the wrist causing pain, tingling, numbness, weakness, or aching. Surgery may be appropriate if symptoms are severe or do not respond to other treatments.
Trigger Finger
A finger gets stuck in a bent position and may bend or straighten with a snap. The most severe cases require surgery through a small incision near the base of the affected finger.
Nerve Compression
A ligament pinching or putting pressure on a peripheral nerve, including cubital tunnel syndrome and ulnar nerve compression at the elbow or wrist. Left untreated, symptoms can cause nerve damage.
Neuropathy
Weakness, numbness, and pain from peripheral nerve damage, usually in the hands. Many of these symptoms can be made significantly better or alleviated altogether.
Congenital Hand Differences
From simple buds of extra tissue to complex syndromes: polydactyly, syndactyly, and macrodactyly. Surgical treatment usually begins when the child is between one and five years of age.
A Well-Established Technique
The transverse carpal ligament is released internally through a one-centimeter incision aligned with the wrist flexion crease, with an endoscope used to visualize the procedure. It offers the following advantages versus continuing conservative measures:
- Smaller scar that is barely visible, with no scar on the palm
- Less post-operative pain
- Accelerated complete return of grip strength
- Accelerated return to work
- No increased chance of complications
Assessment to Recovery
Careful Assessment & Diagnosis
Treatment of the hand requires specialized knowledge of its anatomy. Each injury or condition is carefully assessed, since even small wounds can mask deeper damage.
Emergency or Elective Surgery
Devascularization, arterial injury, large contaminated wounds, severe crush injuries, and open fractures receive immediate surgical treatment. For most isolated tendon and nerve injuries, the referring physician closes the skin wound and elective surgery is scheduled within three to ten days.
Early Motion & Splinting
After endoscopic carpal tunnel release, a comfort splint is typically removed three days post-operatively and a program of early motion and strengthening is started.
Coordinated Hand Therapy
Most hand surgery patients require precise post-op hand therapy. Our relationship with, and proximity to, local therapists lets us coordinate care directly. Most carpal tunnel patients return to work in two to four weeks.
“I know I wouldn’t have this finger if it wasn’t for Northland Plastic Surgery. As bad as it was, it was a great experience there.”
Larry · Hand Surgery Patient
Larry suffered an accident at work as an industrial steel painter when paint solvent was injected into his finger under high pressure. Emergency exploration, decompression, and a cross finger flap reconstruction saved the finger. He returned to work with about 80% of normal finger motion.