Hand surgery

Hand surgery is a medical field that deals with correction of various upper extremities issues. A plastic surgeon in the arm surgery field is tasked with restoring hand and finger function, while making the affected area as aesthetically pleasing as possible. Arm surgery can be performed for many reasons, include trauma and after rheumatic illnesses, for example, various types of arthritis, which affect and damage arm structure.

Arm surgery allows for correction of following issues:

Dupuytren’s contracture

is also known as the Viking disease or palmar aponeurosis fasciitis, which manifests as formation of thick lumps in palms and fingers, which results in to deformed fingers. Treatment is determined by the patient’s complaints and clinical stage of the disease. The surgery is performed under local or general anaesthesia. During surgery the lumps are removed, fingers are straightened, pressure is removed from sinews and nerve-vessel fascicles. After the surgery the patient remains in ambulatory care, where bandages are changed and sutures are removed, while finger and palm movement is restored with help from ergotheraphist.

Hygromas

confined formations filled with gel-like mass under finger and palm skin. Growing hygroma can cause patient pain, movement restriction in finger or palm joints. Surgery is performed under local or general anaesthesia and during it the formation is excised from the surrounding tissue (nerves, ligaments) and removed.
Treatment continues in ambulatory conditions: bandage changes, stitch removal, ergotherapy.

Carpal canal syndrome

The carpal canal is located in the palm joint area, and a nerve with bending ligaments are located in it. The patient complaints about burning sensation, numbing in fingers (I-IVp) and palm; the pain can also be felt in upper and lower arms. Progressing disease can affect finger coordination and cause loss of strength in fingers and palm. The surgery is performed in local or general anaesthesia. During surgery the carpal bind is cut and the compressed nerve is freed. Treatment continues in ambulatory conditions: bandage changes, stitch removal, ergotherapy.

Cubital canal syndrome

Cubital canal is located in the elbow joint area. A nerve that can be pressed-on due to various pathologies is located in the cubital canal. The patient complains about numbness in lower arm and fingers (IV-Vp), also loos of strength and formation of contracture IV-Vp. The surgery is performed in local or general anaesthesia. During surgery the cubital bind is cut and the compressed nerve is freed or moved.
Treatment continues in ambulatory conditions: bandage changes, stitch removal, ergotherapy.

Stenosing ligamentitis

Also known as “caught” finger disease. The patient has difficulty to unfold a finger or can do it by using his/her second hand. Pain in bending ligament areas. Surgery is performed under local or general anaesthesia and during it the formation is excised from the surrounding tissue (nerves, ligaments) and removed.
Treatment continues in ambulatory conditions: bandage changes, stitch removal, ergotherapy.

Abovementioned diseases can be treated conservatively at initial stages, by using steroid injections and therapy.