Surgery For Hand Injuries

Surgery for hand injuries is required when trauma has caused extensive damage that requires intervention to aid healing.

Sometimes the damage to the fine muscles, ligaments and bones within the hand can result in further complications if not corrected promptly enough.

The type of damage inflicted by the trauma will determine the type of surgery that is required.

Repair Of Flexor Tendons – usually performed under general or regional anaesthetic (injection at the shoulder). The wound is enlarged so that the cut ends of the tendon can be found and held together with stitches.

Repair Of Extensors Tendons – local anaesthetic is usually used, the wound is enlarged to locate the 2 damaged ends and sew them back together.

Repair Of Nerve Lacerations – when both the nerve and its surrounding fibres have been severed, surgery is required for successful healing. The two ends of the nerve are sewn back together using magnifying loupes and special instruments (microsurgical instruments ), but the fibres will need to grow back by themselves, meaning regaining sensation will take some time.

Hand Fracture Fixations – occasionally fractures within the hand and fingers need surgery in order to realign the bones and stabilise any bone fragments. An incision made in the skin will allow the bones to be repositioned, using small screws, pins, or plates to hold it in place.

Treatments Of Sprained Fingers – severe sprains of the fingers often have extensive tears to the ligaments within, and a surgical procedure may be necessary to reconnect the torn ligaments and stabilise the finger.

A hand injury can see the hand and fingers lose sensation and their ability to function and surgery helps to restore this partially, if not fully. The extent of the surgery or injury will determine the type of anaesthesia that is used and an aftercare plan which includes regular hand therapy will need to be carefully followed.