Trauma - Hands

Trauma - Hands

This encompasses a wide range of conditions from a simple skin wound requiring only dressings, to severe crush / amputations of limbs requiring complex microsurgery. Amputations need immediate treatment if replantation is to be successful. The amputated part should be washed thoroughly, then wrapped in moistened gauze, placed in a sealed plastic bag then the bag immersed in ice-water slurry. Cooling the amputated limb in this fashion prolongs its survival until it is able to be replanted and its circulation re-established. Time is of the essence if replantation is to be successful and every hour counts.

Less urgent cases are placed on next available operating lists. The most common types of injuries involve the fingertips. Surgery may or not be required for simple fingertip injuries. Simple skin or pulp loss up to one cm2 is often treated conservatively with dressings. More complex skin and pulp wounds may require local flaps or skin grafts, especially if bone is exposed. Often it is more sensible to slightly shorten a fingertip rather than embark on complex reconstructions, your surgeon will asses and advise you of the options. All cut tendons and nerves needs surgical repair as do most fractures, unless they are very stable.

Post operatively the injured limb should be kept elevated and rested, so as not to become swollen and painful. Instructions are given by the surgeon. Post operative rehabilitation is crucial to attaining an optimal outcome following hand surgery. This is very dependent on the patient's motivation and correct application of his mobilisation program. Complex injuries are post-operatively referred to a hand therapist to assist with rehabilitation.

Other Hand Surgery procedures