Reconstructive hand surgery is a specialized and effective surgery that helps correct many cosmetic and functional problems that affect one’s hand, forearm and wrist. Reconstructive hand surgery can help repair birth defects, joint deformities brought on by rheumatoid arthritis and repairs tendon injuries. In addition hand surgery can also relieve pain and pressure that comes from carpel tunnel syndrome.
The main focus of plastic surgeons when performing hand surgery according to Methodist Health, the online site of the Methodist Hospital System in Houston, is to “restore not only the function of the hand, but try to maximize the cosmetic appearance of the hand, as well.”
Other types of hand surgeries are: skin grafts, skin flaps, closed reduction and fixation, tendon repair, nerve repairs, fasciotomy, surgical drainage and or/debridement, joint replacement and replantation.
When it comes to hand transplant surgery, a relatively new and innovative surgery, success is often the result of specialized and detailed work. According to The Composite Tissue Allotransplantation program, a website run by the group that developed the hand transplant, a hand transplant involves a more complicated and intricate kind of surgery that has “multiple tissues (skin, muscle, tendon, bone, cartilage, fat, nerves and blood vessels) and is referred to as composite tissue allotransplantation.” In 2008, over 4.9 million reconstructive hand surgeries were done in the United States.
Other types of hand surgery that are performed include tendon repair, birth defect corrections, RA hand surgery, trigger finger surgery, Gangliancyst removal Dequervain’s tenosynovitis surgery, carpal tunnel hand surgery and Dupuytren’s contracture surgery.
Microscopic hand surgery is a delicate category of hand surgery. This type of surgery requires an open incision that uses magnifying glasses or a microscope in identifying and repairing hands. This kind of intricate hand surgery helps identify and protect small structures like the nerve sand blood vessels in the hands and fingers. It can also help surgeons when they re-attach such tiny structures in the hand.
It is important to note that hand surgery candidates need to be in good health and not smoke. These requirements are needed to help ward off infections and help with speedy healing. In addition, during a consultation, the hand surgeon will examine your hand and will observe the position and state of your fingers and check for sensation, and manual dexterity. After examining your hand and fingers, he may advise other alternative treatments such as splints, physical therapy or medication before opting for surgery.
Surgery to the hands normally takes one to two hours and an additional two hours in the recovery room. In addition, hand surgery is performed in an outpatient setting—that is, the surgery is often performed in the morning and you leave in the afternoon or evening. For the first day or two after the surgery, you will experience pain; however, pain is controlled by a PCA (patient controlled anesthesia). The pain will lessen with medications. But if the pain increases, contact your surgeon immediately.
Risks
As with any surgery, there are risks. Some of these risks are infection bleeding, blood clots, hand swelling and the possibility of another surgery.
To minimize risks and maximize positive results, choose an experienced hand surgeon. He should be board-certified and always ask how many times he has performed the specific hand surgery you’ll be getting. The more experience he’s had in performing such surgeries, the more effective and better chance of success from the surgery.
Hand surgery costs vary; depending on the type of treatment and other factors but the going rate for hand surgery begins around $1,000 and can go up to $2,000 or more. This type of surgery may be covered by insurance but one needs to always check before undergoing the surgery. Call your insurance provider because pre-certification may be required for your particular hand surgery. And, check with your surgeon’s office who can be helpful in providing insurance information.
Hand surgery need not be frightening, when you have the facts.
