Our hands are highly suspectable to injury and disease, and if your hand is impaired in any way, then hand surgery may be your solution. When problems with our hands occur, Dr. Smith can perform hand surgery to address the underlying issue and help restore your hand function, flexibility, and strength. During your visit to our clinic, we will discuss with you your surgical goals, medical conditions, and treatment options available to you.
What is Hand Surgery?
Hand surgery is a procedure used to correct deformities, diseases, and symptoms of hand conditions. It’s used to restore function back to the hand and treat conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and other nerve compression symptoms. Because the hand is a complex structure of bones, nerves, and tendons, hand surgery is used as a way to treat problems when medications and physical therapy don’t produce results.
Candidates for hand surgery include people with a diminished ability to manipulate their hands to grasp, pinch, touch, and other functions. Candidates also include those who are non-smokers, have positive, realistic goals for their treatment, and do not have any associated medical conditions that impair healing.
Hand Surgery Recovery at Real You Plastic Surgery and Wellness
When meeting with Dr. Smith and her team, she will discuss your personal goals and needs as a patient, as numerous factors can play into the overall results of your hand surgery. During your consultation with the doctor, she will evaluate your general health, discuss any medical conditions you may have and any previous surgeries, and discuss your hand surgery options as well as risks and complications.
You may be asked to complete lab tests, medical evaluations, and recommendations during your consultation to avoid possible outcomes. These recommendations include taking medications to prepare for your surgery and avoiding medications such as aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, and herbal supplements.
For your comfort and well-being, Dr. Smith will go over the procedure in further detail, outlining the procedure through the following steps:
- Anesthesia: The doctor will administer intravenous sedation or general anesthesia for the duration of your surgery. Your choice of sedation method will depend on the areas requiring nerve and tendon treatment.
- Incision: During the procedure, she will create incisions depending on the location and areas being treated, diluting each surgical site with anesthesia to reduce the risk of bleeding and trauma.
- Tendon Repair: Tendon repair is the most common hand surgery, where the tendon is retrieved and reconnected back to its original spot to restore function. Tendon repair is most used for those with carpal tunnel syndrome. Further techniques for hand surgery can be discussed with our clinic, depending on your condition, medical history, and other factors.
- Suture and Closing: Once the hand surgery procedure is complete, the incision areas are closed with sutures and wrapped in garments or elastic bandages for healing.
At Real You Plastic Surgery and Wellness, Dr. Smith will monitor your progress, providing detailed instructions on how to care for your hand surgery incisions. To learn more about what hand surgery can do for you, request a consultation today!
