Dr. Varun Shrimal,
Best Orthopedic Doctor & Surgeon in Vashi

Hand trauma

Hand is a natural tool given to us by the almighty, which helps us conduct all our activities of daily life. It is a very complex part of our body and has multiple bones, muscles, Ligaments, tendons, nerves, nails, and skin, which is specialized for the palm and fingertips. Injury of any kind to the hand can affect our daily life. Hence, taking care of it needs special attention. People often tend to ignore the hand problems, but in the long-term, they might end up with stiffness and deformities. To prevent such problems, one should consider a hand surgeon opinion.

Small joint arthroscopy

Joints are the parts of the body where the movements occur, so it is manadatory to have a smooth joint surface. Smooth surface of the joints are either damaged by regular wear and tear, or it can be an injury involving the ligaments and bones of the joints. In case of an injury to a joint such as a wrist or elbow, where the space is very less as compared to knee and shoulder, conventional arthroscopy cannot help. For these joints, small joint arthroscopes are needed, which need special training to handle. For this, you need to consult a hand surgeon.

Crush injuries

Being a natural tool, we often tend to place our hand in dangerous situations while working in our homes or in the manufacturing units. Most commonly, these injuries of the hand occur in these units or homes where there are multiple reasons for them to happen. Namely - faulty machines, Improper training, lack of protective equipment or disturbance and inattentiveness while working.

Tendon injuries

Tendons are shiny structures in our body which connect the muscles to our skeletal framework and help in movement across the joints. Injuries to the tendons can occur in many ways, and if not treated can lead to loss of movement and a delay in the treatment of tendon injury can lead to joint stiffness with muscle wasting and weakening of the involved part. For treatment for such injuries one should consider an opinion of the hand surgeon.

Ligament injuries

Ligaments are structures in our body that connect the bone to the other bone and help in stabilization of the joint across its range of motions. injury to the ligament of the joint can lead to an instability and give a sense of loosening of the joint to the patient. It can further lead to chronic pain which eventually ends up in joint stiffness, if not treated timely.

Vascular injuries

There are mainly 2 arteries below the elbow, which supply the forearm and the hand. injury to any or both of them can be extremely hazardous and treatment for this cannot be delayed if it is a traumatic injury. Incase of a non traumatic problem, a proper physical examination as well as investigative studies need to be conducted to reach a diagnosis and formulate a plan for the treatment by a hand surgeon.

Nerve injuries

There are 3 main nerves of the upper limb, and these provide the necessary signals to the muscles to carry out specific actions commanded by the brain. Injury to the nerves can happen in any form. Be it traumatic or non traumatic. Traumatic Injury to the nerves can be treated promptly, whereas non traumatic injuries need investigative studies of the nerves and muscles, as well as physical examination by a hand surgeon who can help locate the pathology in the nerve and give a proper management plan.

Fractures

There are around 27 bones in only the wrist and the hand , such is the complexity of the arrangement of bones that we cannot imagine 27 bones being packed in such a small part of our body. Fractures of the bones can be very minor to major fractures. This can range from single bone fracture to multiple bone fractures and many times small and subtle fractures are missed by general orthopedic surgeons, hence considering an opinion of a hand surgeon is of utmost importance for a good outcome.

Carpal tunnel syndrome

CTS is a very common condition affecting mostly middle-aged females or people of old age of both the gender. Mostly, it presents with a feeling of numbness in the thumb index and middle finger, but it can have other ways of presenting for which a consultation with a hand surgeon is needed. It is a simple and clinical diagnosis but often needs investigative studies. Please consult your Hand Surgeon if you notice any symptoms suggesting of CTS.

Congenital deformities

Congenital deformities are the deformities that an infant is born with. These deformities can vary from having multiple extra fingers, to having lesser number of fingers, to having a club hand or having a single bone forearm and having no thumb or no fingers. These deformities are very difficult to identify on prenatal checkups and are often found at the time of birth.

These deformities need treatment at the earliest possible time so that the child can adapt to the treatment given. Hence, for these kind of deformities, patient needs to consult a hand surgeon.