Hand Surgery is a broad term that incorporates a vast array of different types of surgery on the hand. Surgeons who perform hand surgery attempt to restore not only the function of the hand, but try to maximize the cosmetic appearance of the hand, as well.
Surgery on the hand may be done for many reasons, including, but not limited to, the following:
- Trauma to the hand
- Rheumatic changes to the structures in the hand
- Congenital (present at birth) deformities
- Infections
The section from the shoulder to the fingertip is called the “upper extremity” and the surgical branch dealing with all the diseases and treatment related to this section is called “hand surgery”. Our hands are very important. We use our hands when doing business or seeing our needs for our daily life. Many temporary or permanent problems that disrupt hand functions, especially injuries due to work accidents, cause a number of negativities. Different structures such as bone, muscle, tendon, vein, nerve, ligament structures in the upper extremity work harmoniously in the same environment. Hand surgery is concerned with cases where this harmony is broken due to various diseases, traumas, congenital problems. Applications performed in hand surgery clinics should be applied meticulously by making use of the latest technology and facilities. With the help of microsurgery techniques in this area, which requires sensitive applications, the diseases can be treated in the best way, and the problems faced by patients in their daily life and work life can be reduced or eliminated altogether.
Some of the procedures applied in Hand Surgery Clinic:
Hand and Finger Ruptures
Partial or complete ruptures in the hands and fingers are cases where early intervention is of great importance. The biggest factor affecting the success rate of treatment and surgical interventions in hand and finger ruptures is the speed with which the ruptured piece is delivered to the healthcare institution together with the patient. The process of suturing the ruptured organ in place is called replantation. In hand and finger ruptures, it may not be possible to sew the organ at all times, in this case it depends on the level of damage the organ receives.
Tendon, Nerve, Vascular Injuries
Traumas that occur due to conditions such as work accidents and traffic accidents on the hands lead to damage to tendons, nerves and vessels. The initiation of treatment as soon as possible for this damage is very important for the health of the organ.
Hand and Finger Level Fractures
Hands and fingers are complex organs formed by the combination of a large number of small-sized bones. Hands and fingers with a large number of joints are more prone to the formation of fractures than many other organs. Fractures that may occur with excessive load on bones in cases such as falling, crushing, bumping and sprains are manifested by severe pain and swelling.
Nail Injuries, Ingrown Toenails and Shape Disorders
Nail injuries, stinging and deformities related to the nails are among the most common problems encountered by hand surgery clinics. Injuries and wrecks may occur on the fingernails and toenails as a result of constant pressure or accidents. Such problems that may occur in hands in daily life or business life cause many negativities.
Congenital Hand Anomalies
Congenital differences due to genetic factors such as excessive fingers, conjoined fingers and differences in the angles of the fingers may be in question. Such problems are treated in hand surgery clinics.
Nerve Entrapment
Nervous compression can be seen in many parts of the body as well as in the hands, elbows and wrists. Carpal tunnel syndrome and cubital tunnel syndrome are important diseases due to nerve compression. In individuals with these diseases, their mobility decreases in their hands, muscle loss occurs, and problems such as loss of sensation and sensation arise. Conditions such as keeping the hands, elbows or wrists in a folded position or constantly pressing on a certain point may be effective in the emergence of the disease.
Hand Tumors
The formation of benign or malignant tumors in the hands and wrists may occur. Glomus tumors, hand and wrist cysts, and ganglion tumors are the most common conditions, and often cause swelling in the hands and wrists. These masses, which appear in the hands and wrists, tend to grow, and therefore usually need to be removed without further growth.
Trigger Finger
Trigger finger, also known as Tenosynovitis Stenosing, is a type of disease that is responsible for the stuttering and sudden locking of the fingers. In this disease, fingers that involuntarily suddenly contract and contract for a certain period of time also cause severe pain. Some muscle relaxants and different drug treatments can be tried in the treatment of this disease, which makes daily life and especially handicrafts difficult.
Dupuytren’s Contracture
The dupuytren’s contracture, which starts with stiffness in the palm of the hands and causes twisting and contraction in the fingers, occurs due to the thickening of the fibrous tissue called palmar apenurosis, which is located under the skin of the palm. The disease progresses over time and can lead to difficulties in bending the fingers and even loss of the mobility of the fingers.
Hand Surgeon
For Hand Surgery specialization, 2-year training on Orthopedics and Traumatology, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery specialization is given after 3 years of training for general surgery specialists. In other words, the specialists who take the exam again after 5-6 years of specialty training after heavy physician training, if they pass this exam successfully, become a hand surgery specialist after an average of 8 years of training by taking 2-3 years of upper specialization training.
