Who is a hand surgeon?
The human hand is a multi-purpose organ. From basic tasks like brushing teeth and picking up things to sensing different textures, humans use their hands in almost every life activity. If a hand injury occurs, these daily mundane activities may seem undoable. In some instances, one may require hand surgery to recover and attain the functionality of their hands. Congenital disability, inflammation, or pain are also reasons one may require hand surgery.
This is where the assistance of a hand surgeon might be helpful. They are orthopedic, plastic, or general surgeons specializing in treating hand, wrist, or forearm issues. In addition to surgical procedures, a hand surgeon may recommend several non-invasive therapies. They can direct you to a qualified hand therapist or suggest treatments like splints or injections to control your discomfort. Hand surgeons can treat various injuries, including bone breaks, dislocations, and jammed fingers.
Educational background of a hand surgeon
A four-year bachelor's degree and a medical degree are prerequisites for a career as a hand surgeon. The next step for an aspiring hand surgeon is to sign up for a residency program in one of the following subspecialties:
- Orthopedic surgery (which takes five years)
- General surgery (which takes five years)
- Plastic surgery (which takes five to seven years)
Qualified surgeons must also undergo at least a year of extra training in hand surgery after the compulsory residency of 5-7 years in their subspecialties. Here, they devote much of their time (often at least 70%) to treating issues involving the hand and upper extremities.
After training, they must apply for certification in hand surgery from the relevant medical board to get board-certified. The American Board of Orthopedic Surgery (ABOS) approves orthopedic surgeons, including hand surgeons, to start practicing.
What common conditions do hand surgeons treat?
Hands are complicated structures composed of several bones, muscles, and ligaments that allow movement and agility and, therefore, require a specialist to treat various problems that may arise due to occupational factors, deformities, or injuries. Visit a hand surgeon near you for the following conditions:
- Arthritis- Commonly occurring at an older age, this condition causes swelling or inflammation, pain, and stiffness in one or more joints. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are the most prevalent forms. Due to the body's inflammatory response, arthritic joints may feel warm to the touch. If left untreated, arthritis can cause the joints in the hands to lose shape, worsening the pain and restricting your hand movement. A hand surgeon may diagnose arthritis by ordering X-rays or bone scans, which can help diagnose arthritis in its early stages.
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)- The carpal tunnel is an inch-wide narrow pathway in the wrist. CTS is a condition in which compression of the median nerve (which travels through the upper arm and passes through the carpal tunnel into the wrist) results in pain, numbness, and a tingling sensation in the forearm. CTS tends to worsen over time and can cause weakness or loss of sensation in your hands. Early-diagnosed CTS can be relieved by wearing a wrist splint, exercising, inserting steroid injections, and avoiding activities that aggravate CTS symptoms.
- Trigger finger- Also called "stenosing tenosynovitis," this condition primarily affects tendons (strong, flexible tissues that connect muscles to the bones) that bend or flex the fingers and thumb. It may occur if part of the tendon sheath becomes swollen or if small lumps form on the tendon. This results in a locking/catching sensation when you bend and straighten your fingers. Symptoms include stiffness in the fingers, particularly in the morning, tenderness in the affected finger, and fingers getting locked in a bent position. This condition commonly affects the ring finger and thumb, but it may also affect other fingers. Causes of trigger finger include diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, age, and forceful hand activities.
What are the varied causes of carpal tunnel syndrome?
Carpal tunnel syndrome usually arises from a combination of factors, with studies indicating that women/elderly people are more likely to develop the condition. Several risk factors can increase susceptibility to carpal tunnel syndrome. Heredity plays a significant role, as the carpal tunnel could be naturally smaller in some people, or they may have anatomical differences that reduce space for the nerve—traits genetically passed down within families.
Repetitive hand use is another factor; performing the same hand and wrist movements over an extended period can strain the wrist tendons, causing swelling that places pressure on the nerve. Activities requiring extreme bending or stretching of the hand and wrist for long periods can elevate nerve pressure. Pregnancy-related hormonal changes may also lead to swelling in the wrist, increasing nerve compression.
Some health conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and thyroid imbalances, are also linked to carpal tunnel syndrome, as they may contribute to inflammation or changes in nerve function.
Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome
Symptoms of CTS include numbness, tingling, burning, and pain, primarily affecting the thumb, index, middle, and ring fingers and frequently waking people up at night. Some individuals experience occasional shock-like sensations that radiate to these fingers and pain or tingling that extends up the forearm toward the shoulder. Weakness and clumsiness in the hand are also common, making it difficult to perform fine tasks, such as buttoning clothing. Many patients report dropping objects due to a combination of weakness, numbness, and a loss of proprioception (awareness of hand positioning).
Usually, symptoms develop gradually without a specific injury, initially coming and going. However, with the progress of the condition, symptoms may occur more frequently. Nighttime symptoms are particularly common, as many people sleep with their wrists bent, often causing them to wake due to discomfort. During the day, CTS can trigger symptoms when holding objects for extended periods with the wrist bent forward or backward, such as when using a phone, driving, or reading. Many individuals find that moving or shaking their hands can help alleviate their symptoms temporarily.
What to expect from your first visit to a hand surgeon?
The hand surgeon may try less invasive treatments like physiotherapy and occupational therapy before resorting to surgery. Depending on your condition, a visit to your hand surgeon may include the following:
- Examination of your medical background, including any prior operations and injuries
- Summarizing the events leading up to the injury and the occurrence of your damage
- Get your hands, wrists, and forearms X-rayed to determine the cause of your discomfort.
- Initial pain relief and mobility restoration
Types of hand surgeries
The hand surgeon may recommend surgeries depending on the type of condition and diagnosis. They are primarily skilled in the following types of surgeries:
The connective tissue that links muscle and bone is called a tendon. Due to its nature, tendon repair surgery is complex. Infection, trauma, and spontaneous rupture are all potential causes of a tendon injury. There are three types: primary repair, delayed primary repair on a few days old open wounds, and secondary tendon repair.
One way to repair damage to the hand is through a skin graft, which means transfering healthy skin to the injured area. It is the most common outcome if a patient loses a fingertip or has surgery to repair an injured one. To perform a skin transplant, surgeons remove a section of healthy skin from a different part of the patient's body (the "donor site") and stitch it onto the wounded area.
The nerves of the hand are particularly vulnerable to trauma. In severe cases, this might lead to complete insensitivity in the affected hand. However, in some cases, nerve damage can heal by itself. For some, surgery is a necessity. Surgery needs to take place between three and six weeks after the injury.
When a limb, such as a finger, hand, or toe, is severed from the body, reattachment surgery is necessary to restore full functionality. Microsurgery is used during a replantation procedure. This complicated surgery requires tiny tools and a microscope to help see better. Multiple surgeries may be necessary for the most severe cases.
In situations of severe arthritis in the hand, a particular kind of surgery, also known as arthroplasty, typically occurs. It consists of replacing the affected joint with a prosthetic joint.
What does arthroplasty/joint replacement entail?
As mentioned above, arthroplasty entails surgically replacing a damaged or deteriorated joint with artificially produced materials. It helps restore the function and mobility of the affected area. Your healthcare practitioner may use metal, ceramic, or heavy-duty plastic to make the prosthetic joint (prosthesis). The replacement prosthetic appears and moves similarly to the natural joint.
Surgeons can replace joints in any body region, including your hands, but hip and knee replacement are the most prevalent types of arthroplasty. The recovery time for joint replacement surgery can vary from person to person. Your age and lifestyle, as well as the type of treatment and the joint replacement you are undergoing, will determine recovery time.
What happens during arthroplasty?
Your arthroplasty will ideally occur in an outpatient facility or a hospital. Your surgeon's procedure differs based on the kind of surgery and the joint that needs replacing. Shortly before your treatment, an anesthesiologist will sedate you. This ensures that you do not experience any pain during the arthroplasty procedure.
The surgeon makes incisions (cuts) during the surgery, to remove the injured joint and replace it with an artificial joint. The surgeon closes the incisions with stitches, staples, or surgical glue and then bandages the joint area. The patient may also need a brace or sling.
Surgeons can perform some joint replacement procedures using minimally invasive techniques. These methods require fewer incisions and specialized instruments. Additionally, minimally invasive procedures may require less recovery time than standard procedures. Your surgeon will advise you on the best course of treatment for you.
What are the benefits of a joint replacement procedure?
Joint replacement surgery allows you to move about without discomfort or stiffness. Many people can resume activities they once enjoyed after having a joint replacement. Arthroplasty significantly improves people's quality of life and general health by allowing them to lead an active lifestyle.
Finding a hand surgeon near you in Atlanta, Georgia
Regular checkups with a hand surgeon can help detect even the most subtle symptoms of illness, including those that could prove fatal if left untreated. The search for a competent hand surgeon can be time-consuming and difficult. You can save time and money at the clinic or hospital by scheduling an appointment in advance through Zocdoc.
To find a hand surgeon, visit Zocdoc.com and enter the symptoms, condition, type of specialist, and preferred date in the search bar. You can also select the insurance carrier or plan you prefer to filter out in-network providers. After that, you can view a directory of hand surgeons in your area. You can gauge other details, such as:
- Whether they provide pediatric care
- The language(s) spoken in their office
- The distance from your location
Our online patient help center can help you find hand surgeons who accept your insurance. On Zocdoc, you can connect your medical, dental, and vision insurance plans directly to your account; however, please note that you can use only one insurance plan per appointment.
If you have multiple insurance plans, don’t worry—you can include your secondary insurance details in the appointment notes. Additionally, if your provider uses Zocdoc’s Intake forms, you can easily enter your secondary insurance information to simplify the process.
You can learn more about the clinical experience, education, certifications, awards, and licensures of each doctor on Zocdoc, allowing them to make a more informed decision. Additionally, you can refine your list by choosing a provider based on our verified patient reviews and ratings. Depending on the provider's schedule, you can also book appointments with a hand surgeon on the same day or in advance.
Booking in-person or online appointments with hand surgeons near you on Zocdoc is simple, 100% free, and secure!
Vital statistics on hand surgeons and hand conditions in Georgia
According to a study released by The Journal of Hand Surgery 2015, there were nearly 2,707 active hand specialists in the U.S. In the same year, Georgia reported almost 65 hand specialists, constituting almost 2.4% of the state's population. Hand specialists in Georgia contribute to 3.2% of the U.S. population.
According to an annual health report published by the United Health Foundation for 2021, an astounding 24.3% of Georgia's population had arthritis in one form or another. Rheumatoid arthritis, a persistent autoimmune disorder, can affect many body organs, including the hand.
A study published by the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics states that the total number of fatal work injuries in Georgia in 2020 was 193. Most of these workplace injuries occur to workers' hands and feet.
According to the Gerber and Holder Workers' Compensation Attorney firm in Georgia, 60% of all injuries to the hand are lacerations, making them the most prevalent type of hand injury. This only emphasizes the importance of contacting a hand surgeon for any emergency.
Sources
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons[1]
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons[2]
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons[3]
WebMD
OrthoAtlanta
South Shore Orthopedics
John Hopkins Medicine
Gerber & Holder
U.S. Bureau Of Labor Statistics
United Health Foundation
The Journal of Hand Surgery
Cleveland Clinic
