Healing Hands: The Role an Orthopedic Hand Surgeon

January 22, 2024 By Araceli

Every day, we use these complex, versatile tools without thinking twice. Our hands are vital to our daily activities, allowing us to perform everything from simple gestures up to intricate movements. When injuries or conditions of the hands affect us, it can impact our quality of life. In such cases, the expertise and experience of an orthopedic surgeon can be invaluable. In this article, you will learn about the vital role played by orthopedic hand surgeons. You will also discover their specialized skills and what they do to heal and restore function.

Understanding Orthopedic Hand Surgeons

Orthopedic doctors are specialists in treating and diagnosing conditions, injuries, and illnesses of the hand, forearm, and wrist. The hand surgeons are experts in the anatomy and structures of hands.

These highly qualified surgeons undergo a rigorous training program, which includes medical training, a residency in Orthopedics, and specialized fellowship training in upper extremity and hand surgery. They have a wide range of expertise, including non-surgical interventions to manage hand issues.

Hand-Related Conditions: The Full Spectrum

Orthopedic hand surgeons have the skills to treat many hand-related disorders, such as:

  1. Fractures or Trauma: Hand trauma, fractures, and dislocations that result from accidents, sports, or injuries often need surgical intervention to restore the proper alignment and functioning.
  2. Carpal Tunnel Disease: Carpal Tunnel disorder is a common condition that results from compression of a median nerve. It causes pain, weakness, and numbness in the fingers. Orthopedic hand doctors perform carpal release surgery to relieve the symptoms.
  3. Hand Tendon-and Ligament Injuries Injuries involving the tendons and ligaments in the hands can result in a loss of hand function. Surgeons restore mobility and strength by repairing and reconstructing damaged structures.
  4. Pain and stiffness in the hands can be caused by arthritis. Orthopedic doctors offer joint injections and surgery to treat symptoms and improve the function of the joints.
  5. Nerve Compaction: Conditions including cubital-tunnel syndrome and radial-tunnel syndrome cause compression of nerves in the arm, resulting in pain and muscle weakness. Surgeons can address these issues by performing surgical decompression.
  6. Dupuytren’s Contracture: Dupuytren’s contracture is a condition in which the palm’s tissue thickens. Dupuytren’s contracture can cause finger contractures. Orthopedic hand surgery performs fasciectomy in order to release affected tissue.
  7. Tumors and Masses Both benign and malignant tumors or masses on the hand and wrist can require surgical removal by hand surgeons.

Minimum Invasive Techniques

Minimally invasive techniques are being used by orthopaedics to improve their work. These techniques are more effective with smaller incisions. There is also less pain and quicker recovery. Carpal tunnel syndromes, trigger fingers, and some fractures are often treated successfully with minimally invasive surgery.

Impact on quality of life

The hands are crucial to many of our daily activities. We use them for cooking, typing on a keyboard, expressing ourselves with gestures, and enjoying hobbies. When hand disorders interfere with a person’s daily activities, this can have an impact on their quality of life. Orthopedics hand surgeon have a crucial role to play in restoring both hand function and the ability of a person to engage in activities and experiences that are fulfilling and joyful.

Conclusion

Orthopedic hand surgeons, who dedicate their careers towards restoring mobility to the most essential and intricate part of our bodies – the hand – are unsung heroes. Their dedication, training, and specialized skills are necessary in treating many hand-related ailments. Orthopedic surgeons treat fractures and carpal syndrome as well as perform complex reconstructions. They are the healers who restore function to patients, relieve their pain, and help them regain control over their lives.