HAND SURGERY (Carpal Tunnel, Dupuytren’s, Trigger Finger, Tendon Repair)
OVERVIEW
Hand surgery involves a range of treatments designed to restore the function and appearance of the hand. In recent years, there have been dramatic advances in treating patients with hand injuries, degenerative disorders, and birth defects of the hand.
At Queensland Plastic Surgery we offer a range of hand procedures. The most common procedures in hand surgery are those done to repair injured hands, these include:
• Fractured bones
• Burns, cuts and other injuries to the hand
• Carpal Tunnel Release
• Dupuytren’s Contracture Fasciectomy
• Trigger Release
• Tendon Repair
PROCEDURES
Different Types of Hand Surgery
Carpal Tunnel Release is a procedure to take pressure off the nerve. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome occurs when pressure is put on the median nerve as it passes through your wrist under the carpal tunnel ligament. This results in pins and needles and numbness in your fingers.
Dupuytren’s Contracture Fasciectomy is carried out to remove tissue and release the fingers as the condition is caused by tissue forming in the palm of your hand and your fingers.
Trigger Finger Release got its name because of what actually happens when having this condition. If you have trigger finger, the affected finger can often bend normally but becomes stuck in a curled position. This is caused by the tendon which allows your finger to bend becoming thickened, so it becomes stuck in the tunnel where the tendon enters your finger. You may need to use your other hand to help ‘trigger’ your finger straight – which is where the condition gets its name from.
Tendon Repair isn’t that common in your hand or wrist but if it does occurs it’s usually as a result of rheumatoid arthritis or other types of inflammatory arthritis.
Techniques used by specialist plastic surgeons include:
• Grafting: Transfer of skin, bone, nerves or other tissue from a healthy part of the body to repair the injured part.
• Flap Surgery: moving the skin along with its underlying fat, blood vessels and muscle from a healthy part of the body to the injured site.
• Replantation or transplantation: restoring accidentally amputated fingers or hands using microsurgery, an extremely precise and delicate surgery performed under magnification. Some injuries may require several operations over an extended period of time.
In many cases, surgery can restore a significant degree of feeling and function to injured hands.
Any form of Hand surgery can attract Medicare rebates and a percentage of your Surgeon’s, Anaesthetist’s and Hospital fees may be claimed from both Medicare and your private health fund, if you have private health cover. You will require a referral from your General Practitioner if you wish to claim these rebates.
