Hand surgery is often recommended for patients who have certain types of hand conditions or injuries that are not responding well to physical therapy or medication. The goal of surgery is to restore hand function and to reduce or eliminate hand pain.

With acute and chronic issues of the hand, you may wonder at what point hand surgery becomes necessary. Chicago North-West Suburbs hand surgeon Dr. Michele Yoon is here to explain how she determines whether hand surgery is the best option for patients, as well as the conditions that can be treated using surgery.

What Can Hand Surgery Treat?

Comprehensive hand and wrist care can involve both nonsurgical and surgical approaches. The first medical recommendations when treating hand issues usually do not involve surgery, but are rather pain medications, physical therapy, and steroid injections.

However, if your condition or pain fails to improve and normal hand function has still not returned, your hand specialist may recommend hand surgery. Sometimes, conservative treatment methods are just not enough.

Hand surgery is often considered the optimum solution to fully repair hand conditions and injuries, including:

Hand Arthritis

There are two main types of surgeries that are used to address hand arthritis: joint fusion (arthrodesis) and knuckle replacement (arthroplasty). The problematic joints are either preserved or reconstructed depending on the patient’s needs and physical condition.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

The surgical procedure used to address carpal tunnel syndrome is carpal tunnel release surgery, which is performed either traditionally or using an endoscope. In this procedure, the surgeon opens the carpal tunnel to make more room for the median nerve by cutting the transverse carpal ligament, which is putting pressure on the nerve.

Extensor and Flexor Tendon Injuries

Your hand tendons can rupture and thereby affect normal hand movement. A ruptured extensor tendon limits your ability to straighten (extend) your fingers, whereas a ruptured flexor tendon limits your ability to bend (flex) your fingers. Surgery for this injury involves repairing the damaged tendon to restore normal function and range of movement.

Hand and Wrist Fractures

Surgery to repair hand and wrist fractures usually involves fixation, which is the insertion of plates and screws on the affected bones to bring them back into alignment. This way, the bone can heal properly, and the function of the hand and wrist should be restored after recovery.

Ganglion Cysts

These fluid-filled cysts may form on your hands and wrists, and they can grow larger in size – causing pain. Fortunately, these masses are noncancerous and can be removed using excision surgery.

Ganglion cyst surgery involves removing the root of the ganglion cyst, which connects to the joint or the tendon sheath. If the root is not fully removed, the cyst will likely grow back.

Top Hand Specialist in the Chicago North-West Suburbs

Before recommending any type of treatment for your hand condition, Dr. Yoon will first diagnose the condition by evaluating your medical history and your lifestyle. She will then determine whether your condition is best addressed using hand surgery or some other type of therapeutic treatment.

Each person’s hand or wrist injury is unique. At Dr. Yoon’s clinic, you are guaranteed a highly personalized treatment plan to restore your normal hand function again.

To schedule a consultation, call us today at (847) 957-4183 or request an appointment now using our online form. We are conveniently located in the Chicago North-West Suburbs, and we look forward to serving you.