Hand Surgery
Plastic and reconstructive surgeons perform hand surgery to restore form and function of a person's hand, often in cases where disease, injury, or birth defects have impaired hand form and function.
In Coral Springs, Dr. Levens can perform several different operations in hand surgery, including carpal tunnel release and surgery to correct congenital hand defects.
Good Candidates for Hand Surgery
Candidates for hand surgery are men, women and children who have congenital deformities or disorders affecting one or both of their hands. Many candidates for hand surgery have also experienced injuries that impair function and affect hand appearance.
Common reasons to pursue hand surgery include:
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Birth defects
- Dupuytren's contracture
- Carpal Tunnel syndrome
- Hand injury or trauma
What Happens During Hand Surgery?
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition that causes impaired hand function, pain, tingling and numbness. To treat the problem, a procedure called “carpal tunnel release” is done to relieve pressure within the carpal tunnel. The operation typically requires an incision from the palm to the wrist, so the doctor can release the tissue that is pressing on the lower hand and wrist nerves.
People with rheumatoid arthritis often suffer from deformed finger joints that force the fingers into a bent position, which hinders their movement. Although splints or physical therapy may help, corrective surgery is often the best solution. To treat rheumatoid arthritis, Dr. Levens may surgically remove tissue from inflamed joints, reposition tendons, or implant artificial joints. Full use of the hands is not always regained, but patients can usually expect significant improvement.
Another common disorder is Dupuytren's contracture, which is charactertized thick, scar-like tissue forming under the skin of the palm. The tissue may extend into the fingers, pulling them toward the palm and restricting hand motion. To treat Dupuytren’s Contracture, Dr. Levens may need to cut and separate those bands of thickened tissue, which frees the tendons and improves finger movement.
Congenital hand deformities will often interfere with normal hand growth and seriously impair function. Most of the time, these deformities can be corrected at a very early age. In many cases, they are corrected during infancy. Other deformities are corrected around age two or three. Surgeons regularly address congenital defects like syndactyly, immobile tendons, short fingers, missing fingers, or irregular fingers, and abnormal nerves or blood vessels.
Recovery After Hand Surgery
After your hand surgery in Coral Springs, your hands may need to be immobilized for some time, depending on the procedure and Dr. Levens' recommendations. Prescription medication is often prescribed to help manage pain. Many hand surgeries will require patients to wear a special dressing and splint, which will restrict motion and promote proper healing. A hand therapist may be helpful as well, assisting with physical therapy and rehabilitation. Remember to follow all instructions from your hand therapist, in addition to post-op instructions from Dr. Levens.
Learn More About Hand Surgery in South Florida
To learn more about hand surgery in Coral Springs, please contact the office of Dr. David J. Levens. We are conveniently located just 20 minutes from Boca Raton and Ft. Lauderdale, and 40 minutes from Miami. View a map to our Coral Springs plastic surgery office or contact us to inquire about an appointment.
