Do you have issues with your hands? Are they painful and swollen much of the time, and does it cause you pain to do many of the things that youve always done and taken for granted, such as driving, holding a grandchild, or just typing? Have you had an injury to your hand, or have you developed a cyst or tumor on the hand? Many different things can go wrong with the hands, which are easily one of the most important, and often underappreciated, parts of the human body.
Determining the Right Course of Action
While some types of hand injuries can be remedied with medicine and rest, there are other injuries that could require surgical treatment. However, surgery is not the right option for all patients. Most of the time, doctors will want to avoid surgery unless it is the only or best option, and if other types of treatment have no effect.
You will need to speak with your hand specialist about whether surgery would work for your type of issue or not. In addition, you need to make sure that you are actually a good candidate for surgery.
You and the doctor will need to sit down and discuss the problems you are having with your hands (as they can vary so widely) and then come up with the best course of treatment. In some cases, they may want to move forward and consider surgery, but they need to make sure it you are actually a viable candidate. They will consider the type of condition and the severity, as well as whether you have exhausted other means of treatment. The doctor also wants to make sure you are healthy enough to have surgery, so they will ask a number of questions about your medical history and run tests.
In some cases, the patient may not be a good candidate. If they are smokers, are overweight or have other issues that could cause problems with the surgery, the doctors may request that they make some lifestyle changes first, to help make the surgery go more smoothly. Of course, this really depends on each individual case, and is something you can discuss with your hand specialist.
When you are speaking with the hand surgeon about the possibility of getting surgery, you should ask about the specific type of procedure being performed, the length of the procedure, how long it will take to heal, and what types of hand therapy might be necessary after the surgery. Getting answers to all of these questions in advance can help you determine whether it is the right option for you.
Emergency Surgeries
Of course, some types of surgery simply cant wait. A compound fracture, a crushing injury and the like will require immediate hand surgery in an attempt to repair damage and set the bones so the hand can heal. Emergencies are handled differently.
Find a Great Surgeon
When you are considering hand surgery, whether it is cosmetic surgery, surgery for arthritis, or any other issue, make sure you take the time to research and locate a respected hand surgeon in your area.
