What is Hand Surgery? What Conditions Does It Treat?

Hand surgery is a surgical specialty that aims to treat disorders of the hand and wrist. This field requires significant expertise due to the complexity and importance of the hands. Hand surgery addresses injuries to the hands, degenerative diseases, congenital abnormalities, and other medical issues.

What is Hand Surgery?

Hand surgery is a medical specialty designed for the treatment of the hands or wrists. This surgical field is concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of disorders affecting the hands and wrists. Hand surgery deals with and treats a range of conditions that affect the functionality of the hands and wrists. It is a medical specialty aimed at enhancing patients' quality of life and restoring hand functionality.

When is Hand Surgery Necessary?

Hand surgery is performed to improve the functionality of the hands and wrists and to treat various hand issues. Conditions that require hand surgery include:

• Treatment of Injuries: Hand surgery plays a critical role in treating injuries that occur to the hand. Cuts, fractures, burns, contusions, and other traumatic injuries are among the conditions that hand surgery intervenes in. Surgical procedures can help repair damaged tissues and restore hand functionality.
• Improvement of Degenerative Diseases: Hand surgery also has an important role in treating degenerative diseases. Conditions like osteoarthritis can be treated through hand surgery to regain functionality and reduce pain.
• Correction of Congenital Abnormalities: Some individuals are born with congenital hand abnormalities. Hand surgery can be used to correct such congenital anomalies or enhance the functionality of the hand.
• Repair of Nerve Damage: Nerve injuries in the hand and wrist can negatively impact hand functionality. Nerve repairs can be performed through hand surgery to correct these damages and restore nerve function.
• Treatment of Joint Problems: Joint diseases and deformities represent another area of concern for hand surgery. Surgical interventions may include various treatment options, such as restoring joint functionality or performing joint prosthesis procedures.
• Removal of Tumors and Cysts: Tumors or cysts in the hand and wrist area can be surgically removed. This involves the surgical excision of potentially cancerous structures.

What Conditions Does Hand Surgery Treat?

Hand surgery is used to treat various diseases and conditions to restore the health and functionality of the hands and wrists. The conditions treated with hand surgery include:

• Cuts and scars
• Hand fractures
• Burns
• Contusions
• Tendon injuries
• Nerve injuries
• Finger amputation
• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Scleroderma
• Pseudoarthrosis
• Simple hand degeneration
• Joint problems
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Tumors and cysts
• Polydactyly (extra fingers)
• Missing fingers
• Camptodactyly (curved fingers)
• Ulnar short finger syndrome
• Hypoplasia
• Congenital anomalies of the thumb

How Are Hand Surgery Procedures Performed?

Before the procedure, the patient is evaluated, and their hand issue and medical history are carefully reviewed. Radiological examinations (such as X-rays and MRIs) may be necessary to assess the patient's surgical suitability. Anesthesia may be used during the procedure, and the type of anesthesia is decided based on the procedure. Before starting the surgery, the surgeon makes incisions to access the operative area. The size and location of these incisions vary depending on the type and goals of the surgery. Hand surgery procedures may involve repairing injured or damaged tissues, correcting bones, or reattaching tendons. Once the procedure is completed, the surgeon closes the incisions with stitches or clips. In the postoperative period, the patient may participate in a rehabilitation and physical therapy program to aid the healing of the hand.

Hand Surgery Operations and Treatment Methods

Hand surgery is utilized to treat injuries, degenerative diseases, congenital abnormalities, and other hand problems. Hand surgery operations include:

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Surgery: This involves expanding the area where the nerve is compressed.
• Hand Fracture Surgery: In cases of hand bone fractures, surgery is used to realign and stabilize the bones. Devices such as plates, screws, or nails may be used.
• Tendon Repairs and Transfers: Tendon injuries may require surgical repair. Damaged tendons can be repaired or functionality restored through the transfer of another tendon.
• Nerve Repairs: Nerve injuries in the hand can be treated with nerve repairs or grafts.
• Reconstructive Surgery: Issues resulting from skin loss or tissue damage in the hand can be addressed with reconstructive surgery. Grafts and free tissue transfers may be utilized.
• Correction of Hand Deformities: Diseases like rheumatoid arthritis can lead to deformities in hand joints. Surgery can help correct these deformities and restore joint functions.
• Joint Prosthetics: Patients with advanced degenerative joint disease may receive joint prosthetics. Prosthetics can alleviate joint pain and restore hand functionality.

What is Microsurgery?

Microsurgery is a highly advanced surgical specialty that focuses on the smallest structures of the hands and enables extremely precise procedures. This method is usually performed using microscopes and specialized surgical instruments. Microsurgery allows hand surgeons to concentrate on fine details and the treatment of small anatomical structures. It enables surgeons to visualize the area they are working on at a very high magnification. The microscopes used in this procedure help the surgeon see very small or delicate structures clearly. The surgical tools used in microsurgery are extremely fine and sensitive, allowing the surgeon to perform delicate procedures safely. These tools play a crucial role in procedures such as tendon repairs, nerve repairs, or tissue grafts. However, this procedure requires surgeons to possess a very high level of skill. Hand surgeons must work meticulously and make precise movements under the magnification of the microscope.

How is Microsurgery Performed?

Microsurgery is a special surgical technique that enables hand surgeons to successfully perform extremely delicate procedures. The microsurgery process begins with the patient consulting the surgeon. The physician conducts a thorough evaluation of the patient's hand issue and, if necessary, uses imaging studies (such as X-rays or MRIs). This stage is critical for understanding the patient's specific condition and developing a treatment plan. Before performing microsurgery, the surgeon and surgical team work in a specially designed surgical room that meets high sterilization standards. Surgical instruments are carefully sterilized, and the surgical table is prepared. The patient is typically placed under local or general anesthesia. The microscope allows the surgeon to see the operative area with greater clarity. The surgeon uses extremely fine and delicate surgical instruments to perform the procedure. These instruments enable the surgeon to make precise interventions on the small tissues or structural details of the hand. After microsurgery, the patient's recovery process begins. The surgical area is regularly monitored, and dressings are changed. Rehabilitation helps restore the functionality of the hand post-surgery. Physical therapy and exercise programs support the patient in regaining full hand function.

Hand surgery is a medical specialty that positively impacts patients' lives. However, every patient is different, and the necessity for surgery can vary based on individual conditions. Therefore, consulting with a specialist hand surgeon regarding conditions requiring hand surgery is always the best approach.