WHAT ARE HAND AND FOREARM OPERATIONS?
Hand and arm procedures are surgical procedures to restore the form, function and cosmetic appearance of the hand and forearm, including mobility of the upper extremity.
WHAT TYPES OF HAND AND FOREARM CONDITIONS DOES DR BOTHA TREAT?
Dr Botha specialises in the following conditions:
- Hand fractures develop due to a sudden fall on an outstretched hand or a direct fall on the hand or wrist. In addition, a fracture of this kind may also occur from the direct impact of an external force. The forearm and wrist are made of an intricate network of bones such as the ulna, radius, and carpal bones, which are all vital bones that make up the forearm and wrist. You will know you’ve developed a break or fracture in these areas when the following symptoms occur:
1. Pain and swelling in the area.
2. A snapping or popping noise emanates from the region
3. Hand deformity because of the fracture.
4. Extreme pain when using the affected limb.
- Metacarpal and phalangeal fractures are common types of fractures which result in hand stiffness. For instance, metacarpal shaft fractures are the types of fractures that occur from direct impact, torsion, and longitudinal compression. Phalanx/hand fractures are the types of traumatic hand injuries that commonly affect people.
- Injuries affecting the tendons, vessels, nerves, and skin of the hand can have a devastating impact on the psychological well-being and mobility of the patient. With an open hand injury, tendons are affected, and the surrounding nerves and blood vessels are also likely to be involved.
- Delayed burnt hand reconstruction can, unfortunately, lead to a hand deformity even after the initial healing period is over. Burn reconstruction aims to improve hand function and strength, enhance the cosmetic appeal of the hand, limit contraction and functional restrictions, successfully close the wound, minimise the risk of postoperative infection and return lost tissue.
- Ganglions are fluid-filled sacs that form underneath the skin. Ganglions can be located above a joint or within a tendon found in the wrist or hand. Ganglions vary in size, with some about the size of a peanut and others almost as big as a golf ball. In most cases, ganglions are benign growths that do not result in profound health implications. However, in other situations, ganglions can cause pain and take a long time to disappear.
- Trigger finger develops when the tendon that regulates the movement of the finger can't shift smoothly within its sheath. Trigger finger typically arises when the sheath swells or a tiny lump develops.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome is a neurological ailment that arises from an issue with the median nerve, a nerve that travels from the forearm to the palm. As a result, carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve becomes pinched, leading to numbness, pain and weakness in the wrist and hand.
- De Quervain’s tenosynovitis is a very uncomfortable condition that targets the tendons close to the thumb on the wrist. With De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, it's typical to develop pain, particularly when grasping for something, turning your wrist, or making a fist.
HOW DO YOU PERFORM HAND AND FOREARM RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY?
Replantation surgery on the hand focuses on reattaching and restoring the function of the severed nerves, blood vessels, tendons, and bones. Surgery to reconnect these vital components of the hand is done using microsurgical equipment, a specialised microscope, and sutures. The type of procedure selected largely depends on the severity of the injury and the debilitative nature of the said injury.
FAQ
1. Does it take long to heal from reconstructive surgery on the hand?
Again, depending on the nature and extent of the injury, the recovery time will vary in each case. However, most patients can expect a recovery time of between two to four months, and patients have to see an occupational therapist regularly to improve their hand function.
- Your current health status
- The precise place of the cancer within the breast
- The size of your breast
- The type of reconstructive surgery selected
2. Is hand surgery an excruciating surgical procedure?
Pain medications are prescribed after the surgery to help numb any discomfort. However, the use of anaesthetic helps alleviate pain and numb sensation in the hand.
3. How long is hand reconstructive surgery expected to take?
The typical time ranges between one and six hours, which includes preparation, administration of the anaesthetic, and monitoring of the patient.