What is Hand Surgery?
Hand surgery is a medical specialty and is a surgical branch designed for the treatment of hands or wrists. This branch of surgery deals with the diagnosis and treatment of ailments in the hands and wrists. Hand surgery addresses and treats a number of conditions that affect the functionality of the hands and wrists. It is a medical specialty that aims to improve the quality of life of patients and restore hand functionality.
In Which Cases Is Hand Surgery Necessary?
Hand surgery is performed in order to improve the functionality of the hands and wrists and treat various hand problems. Conditions that require hand surgery include:
Treatment of Injuries: Hand surgery plays a critical role in the treatment of hand injuries. Cuts, fractures, burns, Decapitations and other traumatic injuries are among the cases in which hand surgery intervenes. Surgical interventions can help repair damaged tissues and restore hand functionality.
Curing Degenerative Diseases: Hand surgery also has an important role in treating degenerative diseases. Degenerative diseases, especially osteoarthritis, can be treated to restore functionality and reduce pain through hand surgery.
Correction of Congenital Abnormalities: Some people are born with congenital hand abnormalities. Hand surgery can be used to correct such congenital abnormalities or improve the functionality of the hand.
Repair of Nerve Damage: Nerve damage in the hand and wrist areas can negatively affect 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 are another area of interest of hand surgery. Surgical interventions may include various treatment options, such as restoring joint functionality or applying joint replacement.
Removal of Tumors and Cysts: Tumors or cysts in the hand and wrist area can be removed through surgery. It involves the surgical removal of potentially cancerous structures.
What Diseases Does Hand Surgery Look For?
Hand surgery is used to treat various diseases and conditions in order to restore the health and improve the functionality of the hands and wrists. Diseases that are treated with hand surgery include:
Cuts and scars,
Hand fractures,
Burns,
Crushes,
Tendon injuries,
Nerve injuries,
Finger breakage,
Osteoarthritis,
Rheumatoid arthritis,
Scleroderma,
Pseudo arthritis,
Simple hand degeneration,
Joint problems
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Tumors and cysts
Polydactyly (having too many fingers),
The missing finger,
Camptodactyly (Finger Curvature),
Ulnar short finger syndrome,
Hypoplasia,
Congenital abnormalities of the duim thumb.
How do Hand Surgery Procedures Take Place?
Before the procedure, the patient is evaluated and the patient's hand problem and medical history are carefully examined. Radiological examinations (X-ray, MRI imaging) may be required and the surgical suitability of the patient is evaluated. Anesthesia can be used during the procedure. According to the procedure, the type of anesthesia is decided. Before starting surgery, the surgeon makes incisions to provide access to the operation site. The sizes and positions of these incisions vary depending on the type and purpose of the surgery. The hand surgery procedure may involve repairing injured or damaged tissues, straightening bones, or reconnecting tendons. When the procedure is completed, the surgeon closes the incisions with stitches or clips. In the postoperative period, the patient can participate in a rehabilitation and physical therapy program to help the hand heal.
Hand Surgery Operations and Treatment Methods
Hand surgery is used to treat injuries to the hands, degenerative diseases, congenital abnormalities and other hand problems. Hand surgery surgeries include:
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Surgery: Surgery involves expanding the area where the nerve is compressed.
Hand Fracture Surgery: In case of fracture of the hand bones, surgery is used to straighten and fix the bones. Nesting devices such as plates, screws or nails can be used.
Tendon Repairs and Transfers: Tendon injuries may need surgical repair. Damaged tendons are repaired or their functionality can be restored by transferring another tendon.
Nerve Repairs: Nerve injuries in the hand can be treated with nerve repairs or nerve transplants.
Reconstructive Surgery: Problems caused as a result of skin loss or tissue damage can be addressed with reconstructive surgery. Grafts and free tissue transplants can be used.
Correction of Hand Deformity: Diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis can lead to deformities in the hand joints. Surgery can help correct these deformities and restore joint function.
Joint Prostheses: Joint prostheses can be placed in patients with advanced degenerative joint disease. Portezes relieve joint pain and can restore hand functionality.
What is Micro Hand Surgery?
Micro hand surgery is a high-tech surgical branch that focuses on even the smallest structure of the hands and makes extremely sensitive procedures possible. This method is usually performed using microscopes and special surgical instruments. Micro-hand surgery allows hand surgeons to focus on fine details and the treatment of small anatomical structures. Micro hand surgery allows the surgeon to see the treated area with a very high magnification rate. The microscopes used for this procedure help the surgeon to clearly see extremely small or sensitive structures. The surgical instruments used in micro hand surgery are extremely thin and delicate. These instruments allow the surgeon to perform delicate procedures safely. These tools play an important role in procedures such as tendon repairs, nerve repairs, or tissue transplants. But this procedure requires surgeons to have an extremely high level of skill. Hand surgeons need to work meticulously and make precise movements under the microscope to enlarge the surgical area.
How is Micro Hand Surgery Performed?
Micro hand surgery is a special surgical method that allows hand surgeons to successfully perform extremely sensitive procedures. The micro hand surgery process begins with the patient's application to the surgeon. The doctor performs a comprehensive evaluation to fully understand the patient's hand problem and uses imaging studies (X-ray, MRI) if necessary. This stage is a critical step to determine the treatment plan by understanding the patient's specific condition. Before performing micro-hand surgery, the surgeon and the surgical team work in a specially designed surgical room. This room has high sterilization standards. The surgical equipment is carefully sterilized and the surgical table is prepared. The patient is usually placed under local or general anesthesia. The microscope allows the surgeon to see the area to be operated on with greater clarity. The surgeon performs the procedure using extremely thin and sensitive surgical instruments. These instruments allow the surgeon to make precise interventions on small tissues or structural details in the hand. After micro hand surgery, the patient's recovery process begins. The surgical area is monitored regularly and dressings are performed. Rehabilitation helps to restore the functionality of the hand after surgery. Physiotherapy and exercise programs support the patient to regain the full function of the hand.
Hand surgery is a medical specialty that positively affects the lives of patients. But every patient is different, and the need for surgery may vary depending on the patient's individual circumstances. For this reason, it is always the best approach to consult with a specialist hand surgery doctor about conditions that require hand surgery.
