Common Types of Hand Surgery
A hand specialist in Atlanta regularly performs surgical procedures on the hand and wrist. Most of these procedures help relieve symptoms related to inflammation, injury, pain, or deformity. Other common surgeries repair nerves or tendons that are causing uncomfortable symptoms like pain or limited range of motion. If you're experiencing any of these symptoms in your hand or wrist, you should contact hand surgery specialists in Atlanta to determine if you need one of these surgeries.
Carpal Tunnel Surgery
Carpal tunnel surgery is one of the most common hand surgeries performed because carpal tunnel syndrome is a common condition. Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when swelling around the wrist tendons puts pressure on the median nerve and tendons running through an actual tunnel to the fingertips. Compression of the median nerve cuts off blood flow, causing a pins and needles sensation in the hand as well as thumb weakness, pain in the hand and shooting pain. When non-surgical solutions such as use of a wrist brace do not provide relief, carpal tunnel surgery relieves pressure by providing more room for the nerve in the tunnel.
Trigger Finger Surgery
Trigger finger can happen in fingers, including the thumb, when the flexor tendons develop bumps or nodules that keep the tendons from sliding smoothly. Instead, the tendons catch, preventing the fingers from straightening, often locking in a curled or bent position. Other symptoms include a lump on the palm and swelling and pain. Surgery for trigger finger widens the sheath through a tiny incision on the palm so that the tendons can slide smoothly.
Dupuytren's Contracture Surgery
Dupuytren's contracture is when the tissue under the palm and finger skin thickens. It is a hand deformity that usually develops over many years. While often painless, the thick bands of tissue make the fingers curl toward the palm, which makes it hard to hold objects. Surgery is used to release these bands to restore movement. In some cases, a skin graft is needed if a large amount of tissue must be removed.
De Quervain's Tendinosis Surgery
De Quervain's tendinosis happens when tendons or the tendon sheath becomes irritated, swollen, or both. The tendons can't move smoothly because there's crowding around the base of the thumb. The symptoms include swelling and pain on the thumb and side of the wrist when the hand makes a fist. It's also often painful to make a turning and gripping movement. Enlarging the sheath with surgery relieves these symptoms because the tendons are able to move smoothly.
Joint Replacement
Joint replacement is another surgery that may be used for people with severe arthritis in the hand. The joints are often destroyed by the disease and an artificial joint made out of plastic, silicone rubber, the patient's own tendon, or metal may be used to replace the joint.
Tendon Repair
Some tendon damage injuries from trauma or infection require surgery. These surgeries may only involve surgical correction or other secondary repairs like tendon grafts.
Nerve Repair
Nerve damage may require surgery to repair as well. These procedures may be a simple repair or something more complicated like reattaching a severed nerve or using a nerve graft to repair a damaged section.