Hand surgery, which involves especially intricate surgical procedures, has experienced remarkable advance over recent years. The expertise of plastic surgeons combined with improved treatment and surgical procedures can be credited for these advances.

Treatments for patients with injuries, degenerative disorders and birth defects of the hand have become increasingly improved. Patients benefit from improvement in both the function and the appearance of the hand.

Dr. Hagerty uses a variety of techniques in hand surgery. These include grafting (transfer of skin, bone or nerve tissue from other parts of the body), flap surgery (moving skin from a healthy site to a damaged site) and replantation (the restoration of accidental finger or hand amputations using microsurgery). All of these approaches, individually or in combination are used to repair injuries to tendons, nerves, bones and damage caused by burns, cuts or other severe trauma.

An increasingly common ailment, carpal tunnel syndrome, can often be remedied by hand surgery. Carpal tunnel of the wrist, nerves in the tunnel can be subject to tension that causes tingling in the hands. Cutting away the tissue and compressing the nerve can relieve the symptoms. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a result, in part, of repetitive motion and an injury which is a result of the use (and overuse) of computer keypads, without attention to ergonomics.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammation of the hand's joints, may also be repairable with hand surgery. Movement in almost any area of the hand or wrist can be improved by removing the inflamed tissue, repositioning tendons or, on occasion, implanting artificial joints.

Dupuytren's contracture is a disorder of the hand's skin that occurs when thick, scar-like tissue forms under the palm. Surgery can reverse the effects of Dupuytren's contracture, which if left untreated can extend to the fingers, pulling them toward the palm and restricting motion. The bands of thickened tissue are cut, freeing tendons for better finger movement. New skin is, on occasion, grafted over the repaired areas to restore normal appearance.

Hand surgery can also correct birth defects of the hand such as fused, short or deformed fingers. Dr. Hagerty can repair or reconstruct in such a way that considerable improvement in hand function, appearance and comfort may result.

See also Ganglion Cyst

Procedures Index