Who is a hand surgeon?
Hand surgeons, also known as hand and upper extremity surgeons, are medical experts in diagnosing and treating disorders of the hands, wrists, and forearms. They have training in treating inflammation and restoring regular movement of the hands. They can treat injuries and other disorders of the nails, skin, tendons, muscles, nerves, bones, joints, and ligaments.
A hand surgeon near you can recommend reconstructive surgeries or other non-invasive treatments based on your conditions. Some common ailments they treat are:
- Rheumatic diseases: Rheumatoid arthritis, gout, osteoarthritis, and osteoporosis can change your hand's structure and functionality. A hand surgeon can help you regain the expected functionalities of the hand.
- Degenerative structural changes: Hand surgeons treat a variety of inflammatory conditions, such as Dupuytren's disease (hand deformity that may take years to develop), De Quervain's tenosynovitis (a tendon inflammation that affects the thumb-side of the wrist), and triangular fibrocartilage complex tear (ligament, tendons, and cartilage structure connecting the forearm and wrist bones).
- Reuse syndrome injuries: Tennis, golfer's, and pitcher's elbow, carpal tunnel, and rotator cuff injuries are the most common disorders of the upper limbs. Hand surgeons may implement physical therapy and adaptive equipment such as splints, give cortisone injections, or resort to surgery if the case worsens.
- Congenital hand deformities: These include any conditions of the hand or arm that have been present since an individual's birth. These can be either genetic or medical conditions.
- Hand infections: These infections are quite common and can affect people of all ages.
- Severe accidental injuries or dog bites: Accidental injuries can damage nerves, veins, cartilage, tendons, or ligaments of the affected area—this may result in severe infections and lifelong deformities.
- General conditions: With twenty-seven bones in the hand and eight in the wrist, sprains, fractures, dislocations, etc., are not uncommon.
Education and training of hand surgeons
Hand surgeons must complete a four-year college degree followed by a medical school program. An aspiring hand surgeon then undergoes a residency program for clinical training in three general specialties: orthopedic surgery (which takes five years), general surgery (which takes five years), and plastic surgery (which takes five to seven years).
After residency, the doctors enroll in a one-year accredited fellowship program to develop their knowledge in arthritis, reconstructive wrist, microvascular, peripheral nerve, congenital deformities, and trauma surgery, including rejoining severed fingers and limbs.
What are the common types of hand surgeries?
The underlying problems of your hand define the surgical procedures that the surgeon may recommend. Some of the standard practices include:
- Skin flaps: A skin flap for the hand is a process where the skin, along with its blood supply, is removed from one part of the body and surgically placed on the damaged part. Vascular or severe tissue damage can lead to such conditions.
- Skin grafts: Much like skin flaps, skin grafts also involve replacing the affected part of the skin of one hand with surgically removed skin from another body part. This surgery is commonly conducted for fingertip amputations or injuries.
- Tendon repair: Tendon injuries result from trauma, infection, or sudden tears. Tendon repair, on the other hand, is a complex procedure due to the structure of the tendon. There are three variants of tendon repair - primary (often done within twenty-four hours of injury), delayed primary (done within a few days of injury), or secondary (may be done two to five weeks or longer after the trauma).
- Closed reduction and fixation: This procedure is standard for broken bones, fractures, etc. The surgery realigns the bone and puts it in its intended place. The surgeon can immobilize it with wires, splints, rods, or casts while the injury heals.
- Fasciotomy: Compartment syndrome is a painful condition with inflammation and increased pressure in a small area or compartment of the body. It causes extreme pain and muscle weakness. A fasciotomy is an invasive procedure where the doctor makes an incision on the affected area to restore blood flow. They can also remove the damaged tissues to prevent further aggravation.
- Nerve repairs: A nerve injury can severely impair the functionality of the hands. Surgery could be best for damage control if the wound doesn't heal independently. Depending on the condition, the hand surgeon may opt for nerve graft surgery or other procedures.
- Joint replacement: Arthroplasty is for severe hand damage caused by arthritis. It involves replacing a joint with an artificial one made of plastic, metal, or body tissue, such as a tendon.
- Surgical drainage or debridement: Doctors may recommend treating hand infections with rest, elevation, heat, antibiotics, and surgery. Surgical drainage removes any excess fluid if pus gets collected in the affected area or a sore in the hand. The debridement technique cleans dead and contaminated tissue from the wounds of severe infections or injuries. It prevents the disease from spreading and expedites healing.
- Replantation: This microsurgical procedure rejoins a severed body part, such as a finger, toe, or hand. It is a complex surgery where the surgeon uses small tools and a microscope to magnify the damaged area.
When should you consider visiting a hand surgeon near you?
Most of our daily tasks involve using our arms and hands. Since hands are an essential part of the body, even a minor injury or discomfort can hamper the simplest of our everyday activities. Thus, if you observe any of the following symptoms, it is crucial to visit a hand specialist:
- Persistent pain in your fingers, hands, arms, or forearms for over three days
- Bruising and swelling in and around the wrist or hand
- The inability to carry out regular tasks with your hand
- Joint pain that is recurring or is not subsiding with OTC (over-the-counter) medicines and rest
- Redness or inflammation on the wrist or hand (may be signs of an infection)
What to expect during an appointment with a hand surgeon?
When you visit a hand surgeon near you, they review your medical history, including your past injuries and surgeries. After that, they will ask about your current condition and its symptoms to understand your issue. Then, they will ask about the cause of injury and the type of activities you do daily. A thorough physical examination follows it to assess the affected area. Accordingly, they may order diagnostic tests like X-rays, CT scans, ultrasounds, and nerve studies to get a clearer picture.
Based on the diagnosis, they will perform a specialized treatment plan involving non-surgical options like occupational and physical therapy. It will help improve function and function and alleviate pain in the affected area. Other treatment options may include the following:
- Medications: It may include over-the-counter medications or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to help treat some conditions.
- Injections: Some hand or wrist conditions often respond to steroid injections. Hence, hand surgeons may administer it during the appointment in their office.
- Surgery: Hand surgeons may recommend surgery if the conditions do not improve or are non-treatable through non-surgical methods. Depending on the condition, the surgery may be either elective or urgent.
What happens after a hand surgery?
Post-surgery recovery after a hand surgery dramatically depends on the type of surgery the hand surgeon performs. The underlying cause of the hand condition also plays an essential factor in the recovery process. Moreover, some hand surgeons may need to perform repeat surgeries for some hand conditions. Some of the possible outcomes immediately following surgery may include:
- After the surgery, your hand may be immobilized in a splint or bandage to limit its movement and improve recovery. The hand surgeon generally decides the length of the immobilization period before the bandage or splint is removed.
- The hand surgeon may also restrict certain activities and work after the surgery. The kind of activities may differ from person to person.
- Accordingly, hand surgeons will recommend rehabilitation to help increase the function and strength of the hand. It may involve physical or occupational therapy. Throughout the period, you will work with a specialist to improve the recovery of your hand.
Some of the therapies involving the hand include the following:
- Nerve stimulation
- Bandages to help control swelling
- Traction
- Splinting
- Massage therapy
- Heat therapy
- Exercises for the hand
Some patients may require intensive rehabilitation to regain optimal hand function. Therefore, it is crucial to follow a hand surgeon’s instructions carefully and work alongside the specialists involved in your care.
Tips to ensure your hands and wrists stay healthy
As lifestyles become more sedentary, humans become prone to injuries due to a lack of exercise and body stretching. This also holds for the wrists and hands, primarily as most people work all day typing at our computers.
Whether you use a computer or not, hands and wrists are the least likely parts of your body to get exercise and massaged frequently. This indicates that they require more attention.
Here are some ways to relax your wrists and hands.
- Taking breaks: If you are at the desk all day, your wrists work overtime, especially if you are not utilizing an ergonomic keyboard, letting your wrists sit more naturally. Taking a break from typing every hour is recommended. You can also use the stretching sequence mentioned below.
- Stretching: There are several methods for stretching your wrists and hands, but this precise sequence will help you relax whenever and wherever you choose.
- Start by stretching your fingers out so your palms are spread open, facing down. Continue to stretch your fingers as far apart as you can.
- Then, flip your hands over while keeping your fingers stretched and flex your wrists toward the floor.
- Use your dominant hand to deepen the other's extension by pulling your fingers down. Repeat this step on the other side.
- Now, relax your fingers by flipping your hands back to the starting position and stretching them again.
- This time around, flex your wrists toward your body.
- Again, use your dominant hand to deepen the other's stretch by pulling it toward yourself. Repeat this step on the other side.
- To finish off the stretch, rotate your thumbs. Remember to move them both forward and then backward.
- Self-massage: Your wrists and hands are some body parts that are easy to massage alone. If you suffer from a wrist or hand ache, consult a physical therapist on how often to massage. Otherwise, you can aim to do this activity at least twice a week or as and when they feel sore. Try to get every region of your wrists and hands, including your palms, the spaces between the fingers, and the sides of your wrists.
Remember to check your wrists and hands for potential aches and pains, as if left untreated, they can cause severe injuries over time.
What is carpal tunnel syndrome, and what leads to it?
Carpal tunnel syndrome results in weakness, tingling, or numbness in the hand due to pressure on the median nerve. This nerve extends along the arm, passes through a wrist passage called the carpal tunnel, and terminates in the hand. It governs thumb movement, sensations, and finger movement but does not cover the pinky.
Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome include:
- Itchy, burning, or tingling numbness in your palm or your middle and index fingers or thumb
- Weakness in your hand and difficulty gripping objects
- Shock-like sensations that travel to your fingers
- Tingling that travels up your arm
In the early days of this condition, one may find their fingers fall asleep and numb at night. This commonly occurs because of the position in which one holds one's hand while sleeping.
If you have carpal tunnel syndrome, you may also wake up in the morning with numbness and tingling in your hands that spreads to your shoulder. During the day, your symptoms may worsen if you hold something with your wrist bent or undertake activities such as driving or reading. Shaking out your hands could make you feel better in the condition's early stages. However, it may not relieve the numbness over time.
As carpal tunnel syndrome worsens, you may lose grip strength as the muscles in your hand weaken. You may also have increased pain and muscular cramps, with the inflammation or pressure surrounding your median nerve preventing your hands from functioning properly.
Often, patients have no idea what caused their carpal tunnel syndrome. It could be caused by repetitive actions, such as typing, assembly line labor, sewing, knitting, baking, cashiering, hairstyling, or playing musical instruments or other wrist movements you perform repeatedly. This is especially true for tasks that utilize parts of your hands lower than your wrists.
Women are three times as likely as men to develop carpal tunnel syndrome. This could be because they have smaller carpal tunnels. Furthermore, a family history of small carpal tunnels raises the risk of developing this concern. Furthermore, having a wrist fracture or dislocation can increase the likelihood of developing this disease.
How to find a suitable hand surgeon in Marietta, Georgia?
One rarely consults a hand surgeon, as one thinks they can treat typical injuries on the hand with home remedies. However, it is advised that if you are experiencing persistent discomfort or have incurred severe damage, don't hesitate to visit a hand surgeon near you.
Zocdoc helps you simplify your usually long and tiring search. Head to our website and enter the type of specialty, condition, or treatment you seek. You can use the date, location, and insurance plan filters to personalize your search. After setting your preferences, Zocdoc gives you an extensive directory of all the healthcare providers in Marietta, Georgia.
Our doctor profile includes educational background, professional certifications, awards and recognitions, licensures, hospital affiliations, etc. You can also see the languages they provide consultation in and the type of insurance plans they accept. Additionally, you can update your Zocdoc account's insurance information to automatically filter results to find health providers within your insurance network. You can also upload a picture of your health plan card on the Zocdoc app to get filtered results. Check out Zocdoc's patient help center for more insurance-related FAQs.
Moreover, our verified client testimonials authenticate their skills and assist you in making a well-informed choice while looking for a hand surgeon near you.
While you have the option of online consultation, you can also choose an in-person visit with a hand surgeon. Remember to select the option that best fits you when booking your appointment. Once you have decided, go ahead with your appointment scheduling process on Zocdoc.
All bookings through Zocdoc are simple, secure, and 100% free.
Essential statistics on hand surgeons and arthritis in Georgia, U.S.
According to a 2016 report published by the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Journal, among 2,019 specialist hand surgeons, around 72.1% were orthopedic surgeons, 18% were plastic surgeons, and 10% were general surgeons. There were just under 150,000 annual hand trauma admissions. The national density of trauma admission and specialist hand surgeons was nearly 47.6 and 0.6, respectively.
As per a Reuters Health report (2017), about one in every four people may have osteoarthritis in the US. Women have a lifetime risk of about 47%, while the corresponding figure for men is around 25%.
About 1.7 million people in Georgia have doctor-diagnosed arthritis. The local data for better health published in 2019 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that roughly 20.3% of Cobb County's adult (>= 18 years) population has arthritis—very close to Georgia's overall prevalence of around 23.6%.
Obesity is often a significant cause of arthritis in the American population. The Arthritis Burden Report, Georgia 2013, showed that the prevalence of arthritis among adults (>=18 years) with obesity in Georgia was about 31.3%. Since coronary heart diseases were also often related to arthritis, the study concludes that almost 48.3% of the state's population suffers from both conditions. Nearly 35.9% of the state's adult population suffering from arthritis do not follow any exercise routine (walking, running, gardening, etc.).
Sources
Donjoy Store
WebMD[1]
WebMD[2]
OrthoInfo
Johns Hopkins Medicine
Orthopedic Associates
MedicalNewsToday
Reuters
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Arthritis Burden Report, Georgia, 2013
Stanford Medicine
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