Even the smallest body parts can now be operated on, thanks to microsurgery. Are you suffering from injuries to the wrist, elbow, or hands? All these problems can be dealt with using this modern surgical procedure. At Veda Medical in Live Oak, Texas, we specialize in microsurgery to treat a wide range of injuries and conditions, so you can regain their use and live life as usual.
What Is Microsurgery?
Microsurgery involves any medical procedure conducted under a microscope. It has made many surgical operations much more precise and effective. Over the years, the number of microsurgical techniques that can be performed safely and efficiently by surgeons has increased.
In this technique, we use a special surgical microscope to attach an amputated finger or transplant large parts of tissue, muscle, or bone from one body part to another. With the help of a microscope’s magnifying capacity, the blood vessels and nerves in your tissues are carefully attached to retain function and feeling in the transplanted tissue.
Microsurgery for Hands, Arms, and Wrists
Microsurgery for the hands and wrists is a significant aspect of our practice. We carry out surgical techniques to repair injured hands and damaged wrists, including connective tissues, nerves, and blood vessels. Using advanced operational microscopes and advanced equipment during microsurgery we successfully repair delicate ligaments and tissues.
Hand and wrist microsurgery can be used to treat severe injuries, such as:
- Severed thumb or finger
- Severe laceration of a blood vessel
- A serious tendon or nerve injury
We also use microsurgery in various medical conditions, such as the following:
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
In this condition, the median nerve, which passes through the carpal tunnel in the wrist, suffers from excessive tension and pressure. It can lead to discomfort, tingling, involuntary motions of the hand. Surgical treatment involves the cutting of a fibrous belt within the wrist called the retinaculum flexor. The goal of the procedure is to reduce the median nerve strain.
Surgery is generally considered if your symptoms occur frequently. Do your symptoms persist despite the use of medication and splinters? An operation can offer more relief and give you long term comfort.
Carpometacarpal Boss
If you have a little bump behind your side, you may have a disorder called carpometacarpal boss, also known as carpal boss. The carpal boss bump appears on the back of the hand, somewhere above the wrist. A bone growth mass usually causes it.
When you apply pressure to the bump or turn your hand, it may cause tendons to move over the bump of the carpal boss. Many people find discomfort as this happens. Some develop the condition after a wrist injury or when repetitive wrist movements are required occupationally. Playing racket sports can also trigger it.
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a condition that affects the hand most frequently. It is characterized by the following symptom:
- Intense burning pain
- Stiffness and swelling
- Discoloration
CRPS can also impact the head, legs, and feet. This disorder was formerly referred to as reflex dystrophy or shoulder-hand syndrome. While both forms of CRPS can be related to injury or disease, the specific cause of the CRPS is unclear. One theory is that a loss of nerve insulation is responsible for the nervous system. This loss causes the unconscious nervous system to be overactive, disrupting blood flow, and the sweat glands in the region affected.
De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis
Tenosynovitis de Quervain is a painful disease that affects the wrist’s tendons. It happens when the two tendons are swollen around the base of your thumb. The swelling leads to an inflammation of the sheaths that protect the tendons. It also places strain on adjacent nerves and induces pain and addictions.
The most prominent reason for the condition is chronic wrist overuse, such as repetitive motions that cause discomfort and pain. Other causes can include direct wrist injury or inflammatory arthritis.
Elbow Fractures
Fractures on the elbow fractures may be caused by a fall, a direct impact on the elbow, or a winding arm injury. Sprains, twists, or fractures can coincide with a fracture. Diagnostic imaging is used to confirm a fracture’s existence and whether the bones are out of alignment.
Broken or unstable fractures are more likely to undergo surgery. The fragments will be replaced and preserved or bone fragments removed by an operation. Whenever a fracture is open, a quick procedure is necessary to clean the wound and bone to reduce infection risks.
Ganglion Cysts
Ganglion cysts are non-cancerous lumps most often found in the tendons or joints of the arms or hands. They can even appear in the feet and ankles. Typically, the ganglion cysts are circular or oval and filled with a jelly-like substance. Small ganglion cysts can be pea-sized, and larger cysts can have a diameter of around one inch. If a nearby nerve is squeezed, ganglion cysts can be painful. Often their position may interfere with joint mobilization.
If you have issues with your ganglion cyst, we might recommend that you try to drain the cyst with a needle. Another treatment method is by removing the cyst through surgery.
Mallet Finger
A mallet finger is a physical defect caused by the septum that forms the finger. When an object hits the tip of your finger or thumb and bends it forcefully, the impact cuts the septum, which functions to straighten your finger. The power of the blow can also pull a bone with the tendon. The finger or thumb tip does not straighten anymore. Thus, this disorder is also popularly referred to as a “baseball finger.”
Surgical treatment is recommended in cases where the finger mallet has large fragments of the bone or when there is a malalignment in the affected joints. A surgical procedure may also be considered when wearing a splint is not possible or when the non-operative treatment fails to restore appropriate finger extension. Surgical techniques to be used may include straining the stretched tendon tissue, using tendon grafts, or even fusing the joint straight.
Nail Bed Injuries
Nail bed injuries are the most common form of fingertip injury that occurs in emergency hospitals. They can be mild or very uncomfortable and unpleasant, sometimes restricting the mobility of your fingers. Although it may seem like these are minor injuries, proper care, and medical attention are still necessary.
Injuries to the nail bed may happen in several ways. Sometimes, the nail is caught or struck by something heavy, like being slammed into a door or window. Injuries may also result due to occupational hazards, such as when a heavy object is dropped on your finger or when you accidentally hit it with a hammer. Cuts and tears can also cause them while you are using a blade or saw.
Olecranon Bursitis
Bursitis is the swelling of a small fluid bag in the elbows, which helps maintain the fluidity of the joints. Olecranon bursitis affects the back of the elbow on the olecranon bursa. Sudden acute bursitis treatment can consist of the drainage of fluid buildup using a needle. Medication may be injected into the sac to reduce inflammation and encourage healing.
Usually, the prescribed treatment for this condition involves behavioral changes, such as avoiding further impact to the elbow and using anti-inflammatory medications during sports activities. Antibiotic prescriptions may also be required to treat the infection. A surgical operation may be necessary to drain the bursa or remove it.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most well-known type of arthritis, often referred to as wear and tear arthritis. This condition can occur at any age, but it mostly begins in middle age and affects women more than men. This disease starts progressively and may become worse over time. When the smooth padding over the bones breaks down, the joints can become sore, swollen, and difficult to move.
Any joint may be affected by osteoarthritis, but the condition most commonly occurs in areas such as:
- Hands
- Knees
- Hips
- Lower back
There is no definite solution to osteoarthritis. However, we can prescribe medication to alleviate pain. As a last resort, a broken joint may be replaced by a metal, plastic, or ceramic one through surgery. A joint operation may enhance the functioning of damaged joints so that normal movement is restored.
Psoriatic Arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis is an autoimmune condition, meaning that the body’s immune system assaults healthy tissue. This illness causes inflammation, pain, and tissue damage. A combination of genetic and environmental factors, such as infection, stress, and physical damage, is a likely cause of this condition.
Most individuals with psoriatic arthritis never have to undergo joint operations. However, a surgical procedure may be helpful for joints that are badly affected by the disease. Sometimes, other forms of treatment do not successfully alleviate pain. Injured joints may be substituted for plastic, metal, or ceramic prosthesis to minimize discomfort and restore function.
Ulnar-sided Wrist Pain
Ulnar wrist pain is very common. It can be challenging to pinpoint the source of ulnar wrist pain since our wrist has multiple components. We can physically examine the wrist and figure out where the pressure is coming from and how it might be treated. Other diagnostic imaging tests may be needed before attempting surgery.
The prescribed treatment for the condition depends on the severity of ulnar wrist pain. It may involve the following:
- Alteration and casting
- Hand therapy
- Anti-inflammatory medication
- Steroid injections
If non-invasive methods do not reduce symptoms, surgery may be considered.
Vascular Disorders
Vascular diseases mainly affect your blood vessels and obstruct blood flow. They can cause damage to other parts of the body. There are numerous forms of vascular diseases, the most prominent being atherosclerosis.
This condition occurs due to the growth of fatty tissues in the arteries. These unwanted growths cause a decrease in blood flow. In worse cases, it may completely obstruct or block the flow of blood.
Wrist Fractures
A broken wrist involves a defect or a fracture in one or more of the wrist bones. The most common injury happens when people attempt to catch themselves when dropping and landing with an extended hand. When your bones become smaller and more brittle, you may also be at greater risk of a broken wrist.
A broken wrist should be treated without delay. Otherwise, the bones can not heal properly, which can impair your ability to do daily work. Early treatment also decreases discomfort and rigidity.
Heal and Restore Your Mobility Quickly and Safely
We depend on our hands for almost everything – from completing daily activities to performing at work. Are you suffering from injured or ailing hands and wrists? Your recovery and treatment will be essential to maintain your quality of life. Contact Veda Medical in Live Oak, TX today. We can provide you with individualized and comprehensive treatment plans so you can heal as soon as possible and restore your mobility.
