Procedures
Hand Surgery
Hand and upper limb surgery is a distinct sub-specialty. Function comes first: grip, sensation and range of movement determine whether an operation has succeeded, long before appearance does.
Procedures in this category
- Arthritic Joint Reconstruction Surgery for arthritic joints of the hand and wrist, ranging from joint fusion to replacement or reconstruction, with the aim of reducing pain while preserving as much function as possible.
- Carpal Tunnel Release Division of the transverse carpal ligament to relieve pressure on the median nerve at the wrist. Usually a short procedure under local anaesthetic.
- Cubital Tunnel Syndrome Compression of the ulnar nerve along the inside of the elbow, causing numbness and tingling in the hand. Surgery opens the tunnel around the nerve to give it more space.
- De Quervain's Tenosynovitis Swelling and pain in the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist. A small incision releases the tight tissue around the tendons so that they move freely again.
- Dupuytren's Contracture Dupuytren's contracture draws one or more fingers into the palm as the tissue beneath the skin thickens into cords. Surgery removes the diseased tissue to straighten the finger, performed by Dr. Theodora Papavasiliou.
- Excision of Hand and Upper Limb Lesions Removal of abnormal tissue in the hand and upper limb, including vascular malformations — swellings caused by blood vessels growing abnormally, which can cause pain, swelling or restricted movement.
- Ganglion A small, fluid-filled lump forming near a joint or tendon, most often on the wrist or hand. Surgery removes the cyst together with the surrounding tissue.
- Guyon's Canal Syndrome Compression of the ulnar nerve where it passes through Guyon's canal at the wrist, causing pain or weakness in the hand. Release divides the tissue pressing on the nerve.
- Hand and Wrist Fractures Fixation of fractured fingers and wrists with plates, screws or pins to hold alignment while the bone heals, and accurate reconstruction of the joint surfaces.
- Tendon Injuries Repair of flexor and extensor tendons severed or ruptured by trauma. The tendon is reconnected using specialised suturing technique, usually followed by rehabilitation to recover motion and strength.
- Trigger Finger The finger catches or locks when straightened, because inflammation around the tendon restricts smooth movement. A short procedure releases the constricted area.