Hand surgery is performed to restore the normal function of the hand and fingers. It is the first treatment option for severe hand trauma patients, and it is the best solution after less-invasive methods have not worked to repair the issue.
Chronic hand conditions that do not improve with conservative measures, such as physical therapy and medication, may also require hand surgery. Your surgeon will work with you to decide what treatment might be best in your case.
What Conditions Warrant Hand Surgery?
There are many reasons for hand surgery, but the following conditions are some of the most frequent candidates for a hand operation:
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition that produces a feeling of numbness and a tingly sensation in your fingers and wrists. It may affect all fingers except the pinky. You may have difficulty doing activities that require gripping or grasping objects.
Carpal tunnel syndrome develops when the median nerve, which is responsible for sensation and muscle movement, gets compressed in the wrist area. This nerve is housed in the carpal tunnel in the wrist.
Hand surgery is performed to relieve the pressure on the median nerve in the carpal tunnel. The surgeon will open up the tunnel so that you should no longer experience the painful symptoms. However, it is important to have this condition medically addressed early, because people who wait too long before seeing a doctor can develop carpal tunnel syndrome that becomes irreparable.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a type of autoimmune condition that commonly affects the hand. The immune system mistakenly attacks the synovium, which is the protective membrane that covers the joint – so it becomes swollen and inflamed.
If left untreated, rheumatoid arthritis may cause hand deformity, and eventually loss of hand function. Hand surgery can help to relieve the pain and improve hand function caused by rheumatoid arthritis.
Dupuytren’s Disease
Dupuytren’s contracture is characterized by an abnormal thickening of tissues under the skin in the palm of the hand. It typically affects the ring finger and little finger, but it can happen to all of the fingers. As the disease progresses, it causes the fingers to curl and bend down toward the palm.
Hand surgery restores the correct position of your fingers to improve their function and mobility. This is often performed with only local anesthesia, so you may remain awake during the procedure – which makes recovery easier. You may have to have the procedure performed again later if the Dupuytren’s contracture comes back, but surgery is very effective at restoring hand function and reducing or eliminating the pain it causes.
Hand Surgeon in Palm Beach County
If you are experiencing any of the conditions listed above, it is best to seek medical care by an experienced hand specialist. Here at South Palm Orthopedics, our board-certified hand surgeon Dr. Steve Meadows has advanced training in diagnosing and treating hand problems.
Dr. Meadows has many years of experience performing successful hand surgery. Our clinic in Delray Beach serves patients from everywhere in South Florida including Boynton Beach, Boca Raton, and Palm Beach.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule a consultation with Dr. Meadows, contact our friendly staff today by calling us at (561) 496-6622. You may also fill out our appointment request form online now. We look forward to helping you resolve your hand problems!
