Understanding Hand Injuries That May Require Surgery

Hand injuries are quite common, and they can happen at any time. When you injure your hand, the pain can be excruciating, and it can interfere with your day-to-day activities. While some hand injuries can be treated with non-surgical techniques, others may require surgery to correct the problem.

This blog post will discuss hand injuries that may require surgery, their causes, symptoms, and treatment options.

Fractures

Fractures are one of the most common injuries that require surgery. A fracture occurs when your bone breaks as a result of an impact or trauma. Symptoms of a fracture include severe pain, swelling, bruising, and the inability to move the affected finger or hand. Treatment for fractures involves putting the bone back into place and stabilizing it with a cast or surgery. In some cases, a fracture may require the insertion of pins, screws, or plates to hold the bone in place as it heals.

Tendon Injuries

Tendons connect the muscles to bones and are essential for the proper functioning of the hand. Tendon injuries are commonly caused by overuse, repetitive motion, or traumatic injuries. Symptoms of tendon injuries include pain, swelling, stiffness, and the inability to move the affected finger or hand. Surgery is often required to treat tendon injuries, and the most common surgical procedures include tendon repair, tendon transfer, and tendon grafting.

Nerve Injuries

Nerves are critical components of the hand, and they are responsible for sending signals from the brain to the hand muscles. Nerve injuries can occur due to trauma, repetitive motion, or medical conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome. Symptoms of nerve injuries include numbness, tingling, weakness, and loss of sensation. Surgery may be required to repair the damaged nerve or transfer a healthy nerve to the affected area.

Hand Infections

Hand infections can occur due to cuts, puncture wounds, or insect bites. These infections can be severe and often require surgical intervention to remove damaged tissue or drain pus. Symptoms of hand infections include redness, swelling, tenderness, and fever. In some cases, antibiotics may be prescribed to treat the infection, while in others, surgical intervention may be necessary.

Arthritis

Arthritis is a common condition that affects the hand joints, causing pain, stiffness, and inflammation. Surgery is often necessary when the joint damage is severe and non-surgical treatments are no longer effective. The most common surgical procedures for arthritis include joint fusion, joint replacement, and joint reconstruction.

Contact a surgeon to learn more about hand surgery treatments.