Is Elective Hand Surgery Right for Me?
Elective hand surgery can be used to treat a number of conditions in which your hand is impaired in any way. There is a wide range of procedures performed at Dr. Adan Plastic Surgery to treat diseases that cause pain in the hand, including ganglion cysts, carpal tunnel syndrome, tenosynovitis (“trigger finger”), Dupuytren’s contracture, hand osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
ELECTIVE HAND SURGERY
Most hand related problems develop slowly and over a longer period of time. Patients seek medical care when the pain alters daily activities, cause sleepless nights or limits function, such as with carpal tunnel or osteoarthritis. Dr. Adan Plastic Surgery offers elective hand surgery to diagnosis and treat these types of conditions with the goal to return to work pain free and as soon as possible.
We offer a wide range of options for elective hand surgeries that will help enhance your quality of life, including:
- Ganglion – This is the most common type of benign tumor affecting the hand and represents an attritional tear to the joint capsule. It presents with a mass on the top or bottom of the wrist and can cause pain.
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome – Compression of the median nerve that passes through the carpal tunnel at the wrist is known as carpal tunnel syndrome. Initially it manifests as nocturnal tingling and numbness of the thumb and fingers with wrist pain. Gradually symptoms worsen, occurring at any time of the day. Weakness, discomfort and loss of manual dexterity can become permanent without treatment which consists of releasing the nerve compression with carpal tunnel surgery.
- Tenosynovitis/Trigger Finger – To ensure minimal friction with tendon movement, tendons are bathed in a lubricant called synovial fluid which is produced by synovium which surrounds each tendon. Synovium may become inflamed, resulting in increased friction with tendon gliding and associated pain with finger movement. Without treatment, inflammation continues and the tendon will “catch” during movement and may only release with forced manipulation of the digit causing “triggering” of the finger.
- Dupuytren’s Disease – This is a benign but progressive palmar fibrosis common in the English and Irish duribnng the fifth or sixth decade. Dupuytren’s disease presents as thickened cords under the skin that may be tender and eventually pull the finger towards the palm, restricting normal extension. Individuals who have diabetes, liver diseases, seizures or take certain long-term medications are more likely to develop this condition. First line treatment involves physical therapy with massage. If symptoms progress, surgical excision of the diseased and thickened tissue is indicated. Newer therapy involves injecting medications to break up the scar tissue.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis – Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease and one of the most destructive joint pathologies of the hand. Progression without treatment can affect ligaments and tendons. It is quite different from osteoarthritis which only involves joints. This complex condition often requires long-term rheumatologist management and is best treated in early stages with antirheumatic medications and steroids. Surgical management is reserved for severe and advance disease unresponsive to medical therapy.