Common hand surgeries
When your hands are aching, you may be unable to undertake the daily tasks taken for granted like brushing, vacuuming, or even dressing. The only treatment might be hand surgery. Hand surgery is performed for various reasons like repairing tendons and nerves. The surgery reduces pain and restores the normal function of a hand. Below are common hand surgeries.
Joint replacement
Joint replacement or arthroplasty is performed in severe arthritis cases. The joints that have been destroyed by arthritis are replaced with an artificial joint. The artificial joints are made from plastics, silicone rubber, metal, or body tissue.
Surgical drainage
This is also known as debridement which is used to treat a hand infection. Surgical drainage is used to drain pass in case you have a sore or abscess in the hand. If the wound is so severe, debridement is used to clean all the dead tissue around the wound. This not only helps the wound to heal but also prevents the wound from getting further infections.
Fasciotomy
It is done to help treat patients with compartment syndrome. The syndrome is caused by increased swelling and pressure in a small compartment in the body. The syndrome is mostly as a result of an injury. The syndrome causes severe pain and weakening of the muscle. The nailbeds and fingers may change color if left untreated.
Nerve repairs
The nerves may be damaged as a result of an injury which may lead to loss of the hand functionality and feeling. Some nerve injuries may heal on their own while others require surgeries. The best time for nerve repair is about 3 to 6 weeks after the injury. If the nerve is fully damaged, the patient is treated by nerve grafting of attaching the damaged nerve to another nerve ending.
Skin flaps
This involves taking skin from other parts of the body. The hand skin flap uses skin with the ability to supply its blood; this is because the section of the skin used has underlying muscles, fat, and blood vessels. Skin flaps may be used in cases where the missing skin does not have enough blood supply.