Who is a hand surgeon?
A plastic surgeon, orthopedic surgeon, or any other medical professional specializing in treating injuries or discomfort in the hand, wrist, or forearm area is called a hand surgeon. They conduct medical procedures and surgeries to make the hand look and feel as healthy as possible. Hand surgery covers a range of procedures and surgeries that aim to treat hand injuries, degenerative changes, rheumatic diseases, and hand infections.
A hand surgeon near you specializes in these areas because delicate structures like bones, ligaments, and tendons need special care and attention; we often overlook any discomfort in our hands or fingers, not realizing that it may warrant medical attention. People seek hand surgery for various reasons, the most common being signs of pain and immobility of the hand.
Hospitals and healthcare facilities usually have a group of hand surgeons to treat, diagnose, and assess injuries related to the hand. The surgery can take less than 20 minutes or much longer, depending on the intensity of the injury or disease. Hand surgeons assist in reducing or eliminating pain and restoring the function and movement of the hand.
Education and training 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)
The qualified surgeons must also do at least a year of extra training in hand surgery after the compulsory residency of 5–7 years in their subspecialties. During this time, they spend about 70% of their time treating issues that involve the hand and upper extremities.
After training, they must apply for certification in hand surgery from the relevant medical board to get certified. The American Board of Orthopedic Surgery (ABOS) approves orthopedic surgeons, including hand surgeons, to start practicing.
What are the types of hand surgery?
Hands are prone to injury as they are extensively used to carry out day-to-day functioning. The type of hand surgery one needs depends entirely on the injury or discomfort itself.
Upon understanding the underlying cause of the problem, the surgeon can perform the relevant hand surgery. For minor injuries, the operation can be performed immediately by the surgeon. Most hand surgeries are planned and executed based on the needs and requirements of each individual. The different types of hand surgeries are as follows:
1. Skin grafting
The procedure of removing or replacing layers of skin on the affected part of the hand is known as 'skin grafting.' A hand surgeon near you performs this surgery to make the affected body part look as normal as possible when the skin of the fingers, hands, or elbows might be missing due to an injury or disease. Healthy skin is taken from another body part, the donor site, and surgically attached to the injured area.
2. Skin flaps
These are similar to skin grafting but involve using skin with a blood supply. It is a common practice because the skin includes blood vessels, fat, and muscles. Skin flap surgery occurs when a part of the skin does not have an adequate blood supply. The loss of blood supply usually occurs due to an injury or disease at the location of extensive tissue damage.
3. Tendon repair
It is a complex hand surgery to perform. Tendon damage occurs due to trauma, infections, or sudden tendon rupture. Tendons, which join the muscle to the bone, can require three types of repairs: primary, delayed, or secondary. Primary repair takes place within 24 hours of the injury. Delayed primary repair is done within a few days of the damage, but only until the wound is open. Secondary repair is done after 2 to 5 weeks of the damage and involves complex procedures, as the surgeon might need to replace the injured tendon.
4. Nerve repairs
Nerve repair is a surgery conducted when there is damage to the hand's nerves. Nerve damage can lead to loss of normal functioning and feeling in the hand. However, minor nerve damage usually heals on its own. When the nerve damage is linked to other complicated injuries, the surgery is generally conducted after 3 to 6 weeks of the injury. A damaged nerve is replaced or reattached to the other end of the nerve. Doctors can also take nerves from other body parts, like skin grafts, to replace the damaged nerves.
5. Fasciotomy
It occurs when swelling or increased pressure is in a small body area. This procedure is used to treat compartment syndrome, having increased pain around the muscles. Injuries that require fasciotomy usually occur due to accidents, as the physical stress may disrupt the flow and function of the blood. Injuries that need fasciotomy might cause a change in the color of the fingers or the nail beds.
6. Joint replacement
Joint replacement is also known as 'arthroplasty.' Severe hand arthritis may require a joint replacement. This procedure involves replacing or changing a joint in the body that has been destroyed or cannot function properly. The joints are replaced by metal, plastic, silicone rubber, or body tissues.
What should you expect in your initial visits to the hand surgeon near you?
The hand surgeon often begins with non-surgical treatments such as physical rehabilitation and occupational therapy. These can make the pain easier to manage and improve movement and hand use.
Here are a few things you could anticipate during your first visit with a hand surgeon: they may
- Check your medical history, including past surgeries and injuries
- Talk through your daily tasks and potential sources of injury
- Examine your wrist, hand, and forearm
- Order X-rays and other tests
- Give you an initial action plan to reduce pain and increase mobility.
What are the benefits of a joint replacement procedure?
Joint replacement surgery can allow you to move 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.
Recovering from hand surgery
Recovery from hand surgery depends on the intensity of the pain and the procedure of the surgery. However, it generally takes 2 to 4 months for the patient to use their hand regularly. While minor surgeries like skin grafts may take less time, joint replacements and other complicated procedures can take more than a year to notice 100% recovery.
Swelling and pain are common symptoms after recovery, which can be treated by informing your doctor and receiving instructions specific to your discomfort. You can reduce inflammation and ensure a speedy recovery by following the procedure, following care instructions before and after the surgery, and getting advice from the doctor.
What is carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and its symptoms?
A condition that causes tingling, numbness, or fatigue in the hands is called carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), also known as median nerve compression.
It is caused by pressure on the median nerve, which runs through the entire arm's length, passes through the carpal tunnel, a tube in the wrist, and ends in the hand. Except for the pinky, the median controls the feeling and movement of the thumb and every other finger.
Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome include:
- Burning, itching, or tingling numbness in the palm of your hand, thumb, or index and middle fingers
- Difficulty gripping objects and weakness in the hand
- Shock-like sensations that travel to the fingertips
- Tingling that travels up the arm
Often, patients have no idea what caused their carpal tunnel syndrome. It could be caused by repetitive actions, such as typing or wrist movements you perform repeatedly. This is especially true for tasks with your hands lower than your wrists.
You are more prone to get carpal tunnel syndrome if:
- You are a woman, as they are three times as likely as men to develop it. This could be because they have smaller carpal tunnels.
- You have a family member who suffers from small carpal tunnels.
- You have a job where you repeatedly perform similar motions with your arm, hand, or wrist, like a sewer or knitter, assembly line worker, baker, cashier, hair stylist, or musician.
- You have dislocated or fractured your wrist.
The following steps may provide brief relief from carpal tunnel syndrome:
- Take short, regular breaks from repetitive activities requiring hand use.
- Lose weight if you are overweight.
- Rotate the wrists and stretch your palms and fingers.
- At night, wear a snug wrist splint rather than a tight one.
- Avoid sleeping on your hands.
Lifestyle changes that could prevent hand surgery
Below are some ways to help you prevent hand surgery:
Use a wrist splint
If you need to do tasks that bring discomfort, like computer work, using a wrist splint can provide extra support and help keep your wrist aligned. Ideally, wear the splint not only while working but throughout the day and even while sleeping to prevent unintentional wrist bending. There are various wrist splints available, and some are more effective than others.
Try OTC pain relievers
Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen can help relieve pain and reduce the swelling that contributes to nerve pressure. If you are taking other medications, check with your doctor to ensure it is safe to add these pain relievers. You may also consider ointments for muscle discomfort relief.
Use cold and heat therapy
Applying ice multiple times a day can help reduce inflammation. Apply it for about 15–20 minutes at a time, with at least an hour between applications. You can also do an ice bath for your hand and wrist using the same timing. Heat can also provide relief by improving flexibility and easing stiffness. You can alternate with a heating pad or soak your hand and wrist in warm water, gently moving your wrist as it soaks.
How to find the best hand surgeon near you in Houston, Texas?
Extreme pain and discomfort are hard to manage, especially when actively working or studying. Finding the best hand surgeon to treat you is essential to ensure you no longer suffer from the pain. Sometimes, the pain can subside after a few days, but if a doctor has not addressed the underlying problem, the pain may resurface later. To prevent this from happening, we are here to help you find the best hand surgeon in Houston!
Zocdoc offers various advanced filters to find a qualified doctor based on your preferences and needs. Filtering based on your insurance provider location, symptoms, conditions, availability, and training of the doctors can facilitate your process. You can add medical, dental, and vision insurance plans to your Zocdoc account.
However, when searching for and booking an appointment, you’ll need to choose just one insurance plan at a time. If you have multiple plans, you can include your secondary insurance carrier and plan in the notes section for the provider as you finish booking.
If your provider uses Zocdoc’s Intake forms, you’ll have the option to add secondary insurance there when filling them out online. For more questions about insurance, you can check out Zocdoc's insurance page.
Zocdoc offers this and more; we also provide a brief description of the academic and professional background of hand surgeons.
Regardless of the severity of the pain, it is crucial to consult a hand surgeon near you as soon as possible. We also provide verified ratings and reviews to make that happen for you. Browsing the frequently answered questions and looking at the personal reviews might also help you make an informed decision. All bookings made on Zocdoc are simple, free, and secure!
Statistics on hand surgeons in Houston, Texas
Hand arthritis or general arthritis is the most common condition requiring hand surgery. Almost 23.7% of adults in the U.S. have been diagnosed with arthritis. It is more common among people with poor health and lifestyles than those with good health.
Research shows technicians, machine operators, assemblers, and farmers complain about hand or wrist arthritis. The prevalence of hand injuries is also most common among employed adults. In every state of the U.S., 1 in 5 adults also complains about severe arthritis-related pain in the hand.
Over 50% of old-aged people (65+) in Texas have arthritis. Although there are a hundred types of arthritis, the most common ones are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Among the hand surgeons with specializations in the U.S., around 72.1% are orthopedic surgeons, nearly 18.3% are plastic surgeons, and about 9.6% are general surgeons.
Sources
Johns Hopkins Medicine
Orthopedic Institute of New Jersey
Greater Pittsburgh Orthopedic Associates
WebMD[1]
Garcia Plastic and Hand Surgery
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
OrthoInfo
Cleveland Clinic
WebMD[2]
Mayo Clinic
