What do hand surgery interventions consist of?
These interventions are performed to recover the complex functionality of the hand, restoring its mechanical function. The objective is always the recovery of a functional skeleton with articulated, stable and mobile bones, emphasizing the importance of the thumb.
Likewise, these interventions serve to recover and maintain the sensory information and the relationship and communication function of the hand. In other words, by performing a nerve repair, an adequate revascularization and a resistant and sensitive skin covering.
Which ones are recommended for serious pathologies or ailments and which ones for minor ailments?
There are techniques aimed solely at removing pain in patients. These are neurectomies, neurolysis and arthrodesis, for example. There are others aimed at maintaining or restoring hand mobility, such as exeresis, arthroplasties, ligamentoplasties and arthrolysis.
The indication for one technique or another will depend on the injury, the patient’s age and the degree of occupational or social activity. In short, it will depend on the impact of a given injury on the quality of life of the injured person.
Postoperative measures after hand surgery
First of all, a period of observation of the hand is prescribed, the primary objective of which is to detect the possible collection of hematomas that could cause a compartment syndrome. This syndrome can cause damage to nerves, muscles and blood flow, so it is important to monitor their condition.
This alert is what determines the length of hospital stay and depends on the severity of the surgery, which depends on the type of injury to be treated. A large majority of hand operations are minor, so this observation period has a time range of hours. This leads to the majority of hand surgeries being ambulatory.
The period of rest should be more or less prolonged, but always with the hand in a functional position and with the containment splint, if necessary, always placed dorsally. For tendon injuries, acute or chronic, this rest of the intervened tendon’s activity must be counterbalanced by its passive activity.
All this must be followed by a period of physiotherapy and rehabilitation that will depend on the patient and the state of the intervened lesion.