Importance Of Hand Surgery
Hand Surgery is a specialty that focuses on treatments of the hand, wrist, arm, shoulder. One does not realize the importance of hands until and unless they are injured. Even a small cut in a finger or a thumb can cause enormous problems. Thus, it is necessary to take good care of your hands and to value what you have. Of all the bodily injuries damages of the hand have furthest reaching consequences.
Injuries Divided Into: • Cuts • Burns • Fractures and dislocation • Infection • Soft tissue injuries and amputations
In many cases surgery can restore a significant degree of feeling and function to injured hands. If the hand injury is infectious one do not delay treatment or it make worse, you might end up loosing function in your hands.
When Do You Visit An Orthopedic Hand Surgeon? • • • • •
Intense cuts and wounds Feeling numbness Having difficulty moving your hand Infectious bites (human bites or animal bites) Cat bites and wounds where tissue is crushed are particularly likely to become infected. • The risk of infection increases when these wounds are stitched closed so most bite wounds need to be allowed to heal without stitches
What Will The Surgeon Do? • Provide comprehensive care of hand, wrist, arm and shoulder. • It is true that it is the surgeon’s job to cut open through your hand look through your injury, tell you what’s wrong and will let you know whether or not you need a surgery. • The surgeon’s expertise extends to the diagnosis and treatment of conditions that present without obvious injury, especially those that stem from internal inflammation and swelling and that are no less debilitating for being invisible to the naked eye
Conditions Treated By A Hand Surgeon • Carpal tunnel syndrome • Wrist pain • Cuts on the fingers and hand • Sports injuries to the hand and wrist • Creating fingers from toes and other joints
Before Surgery • Have a balanced diet as suggested by surgeon • Ask about infections • Ask about the anesthesia, who is providing you and what type of anesthesia will be given • Duration for healing • Number of operations required • Quit smoking, to improve blood flow and breathing • Amount that it will cost before you go ahead with the surgery etc.
After Surgery • Requires close follow-up with a hand specialist and a primary care doctor • Hand is a very sensitive part of the body; the patient may experience severe pain for several days after surgery. • The surgeon prescribes injections of painkilling drugs to manage the patient's discomfort. • Massage the hand and wrist regularly • Regular Exercise will reduce the pain Continued
• Fresh fruits and vegetables are excellent source of fibers and vitamins. • Add whole grain and fibers in your breakfast. • Include low-fat items such as skim milk, cottage cheese and yogurt. • Follow a proper diet as prescribed by your hand surgeon.