Conditions affecting the hand, such as injuries, congenital deformities, arthritis, or other serious conditions, can cause significant pain and interfere with day-to-day function. Ultimately, the effects of these hand conditions can affect overall quality of life.
Sometimes non-surgical measures such as behavioral modifications, splints or braces, or the use of medications like anti-inflammatories can keep symptoms at bay. But in many cases, the condition continues to worsen, and pain and other symptoms persist.
Sometimes non-surgical measures such as behavioral modifications, splints or braces, or the use of medications like anti-inflammatories can keep symptoms at bay. But in many cases, the condition continues to worsen, and pain and other symptoms persist.
What Can Hand Surgery Do For You?
To alleviate symptoms and stop hand problems from worsening, surgical intervention by Dr. Jason Ko may be recommended. Dr. Ko offers the latest hand surgery techniques to restore optimal health, function and appearance to the hands. His goal is to perform surgery in a minimally invasive fashion to help you recover as quickly as possible.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when one of the major nerves of the hand, the median nerve, becomes compressed or squeezed. Symptoms such as pain, numbness, and tingling in the hand and arm are common.
Surgical repair for carpal tunnel syndrome is known as “carpal tunnel release” and involves reducing pressure on the median nerve. A ligament called the transverse carpal ligament is cut to create more room in the carpal tunnel. Although Dr. Ko offers the traditional open carpal tunnel release, he often prefers the minimally invasive one-incision endoscopic carpal tunnel release to minimize pain and improve recovery time.
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
Like carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome occurs when there is increased pressure on a nerve. In this case, the nerve that becomes compressed is the ulnar nerve, located in the cubital tunnel on the inside of the elbow. Pain and numbness in the elbow, along with tingling in the ring and little fingers, are common with cubital tunnel syndrome.
Surgical repair for cubital tunnel syndrome can involve releasing the ulnar nerve through a small incision (approximately 1 inch long), or in some cases, moving it to the front of the elbow.
Tendon Injuries
The tendons of the hand are responsible for helping to bend or straighten the fingers and thumb. They can become inflamed, cut or ruptured due to an accident, injury or conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.
Tendon repair surgery may involve stitching together the divided ends of a tendon. A tendon graft or transfer may also be needed if there isn’t enough healthy tendon to reconnect.
In cases of tendonitis, when the tendons become inflamed, surgical repair may involve realigning tendons, removing bone spurs that are putting pressure on the tendons, or removing areas of calcium buildup.
Fractures
A break in one of the bones of the hand can be devastating and very painful. Often fractures heal well with non-surgical treatments such as casts or splints. However, if they do not, surgery may be needed to set the broken pieces of bone in proper alignment, sometimes with plates, screws and/or metal wires.
Hand Ischemia
Hand ischemia occurs when there is an inadequate blood supply to the hands. Raynaud’s disease is a type of ischemia in which the arteries that supply blood to the skin narrow, limiting circulation. This can lead to pain and color changes in the fingers in cold temperatures. In cases of severe Raynaud’s disease, surgery can be performed to release the blood vessels so they can dilate and improve circulation to the fingers.
Hypothenar hammer syndrome is a condition in which the arteries in the fingers develop blood clots and blockages; this often occurs due to repetitive trauma to the hand or wrist, such when a person uses his/her palm as a hammer to hit or twist an object. Surgery may be needed to restore normal blood flow.
Arthritis
Arthritis can cause severe pain and deformity that doesn’t respond to conservative treatment measures. There are at least two surgical treatment options: either the bones of the knuckle joint can be fused together to create a stronger and more stable joint, or the damaged joint can be completely removed and replaced with an artificial implant.
Lacerations
Repairing a hand laceration (i.e., a cut) may involve closing the wound with stitches, sutures, glue or adhesive strips. Depending on how deep the laceration is, the tendons, nerves, muscles, blood vessels or bone may need to be surgically repaired as well.
To discuss your reconstructive hand surgery options, please contact our hand surgery practice and request a consultation with Jason Ko, MD, MBA, today.