You may not be consciously aware of it, but you use your hands in performing the majority of everyday tasks. And doing routine activities that require the use of your hands should be as effortless and pain-free as possible. Any form of hand discomfort or disability can hinder you from performing your duties, make simple tasks seem daunting, and affect your quality of life. Fortunately, our reconstructive hand surgeon in Coral Gables can restore both the function and appearance of your injured hand so that you can carry out your daily activities with ease.
Reconstructive hand surgery is often the last resort for patients with hand injuries or conditions and is usually only considered once more conservative treatment options have been exhausted. However, early diagnosis and treatment, including surgery, can in fact lead to better outcomes. In some cases, waiting too long before surgery can lead to complications, so an early consultation with a reconstructive hand surgeon is strongly recommended. Surgery can be considered for acute hand injuries, but also chronic. Patients who have hand abnormalities since birth can benefit from reconstructive hand surgery, including cosmetic hand surgery in Coral Gables, to improve both function and appearance of the affected hand. These deformities are classified into 7 groups:
Acute injuries are injuries which are the result of sudden physical trauma to the body. Examples of this include:
For such injuries affecting the fingers, hand, or wrist, patients should seek a consultation from a cosmetic or reconstructive hand surgeon. The surgeon will then recommend a treatment plan, which may include immediate surgery, hand reconstruction, and/or physical therapy.
At Revive, our physician is a recognized expert in the field of reconstructive hand surgery and hand plastic surgery in Miami. The doctor and his clinical staff have helped treat patients who were suffering from the following conditions:
Whether you need hand surgery or not will depend on your specific condition. As such, you should first seek a consultation with a qualified hand surgeon. If you are considered to be a good surgical candidate, then a surgery date will be scheduled. Surgery can be performed upon people of any age and gender. Additionally, the ideal surgical candidate should be someone who:
Depending on the underlying cause of the hand condition, many types of surgeries can be performed. Our experienced doctor, who specializes in reconstructive and cosmetic hand plastic surgery in Miami, may combine some techniques as needed to achieve the best outcome for the patient. These techniques include the following:
Often indicated for fingertip injuries and amputations, this procedure is done by replacing the skin on the injured area with a healthy skin taken from another area of the body.
Skin flaps are often used to replace extensively damaged tissue in the hand with healthy skin from another part of the body. This time, however, the blood vessels, fat, and muscles underneath the skin are included to ensure that there is enough blood supply to the new skin.
Tendons connect bones and muscles. They can be injured due to trauma or infection. Tendon repair is further subcategorized into 3 types:
This is done to realign broken bones in the hands. The bones are then immobilized or secured in place to facilitate healing using rods, wires, casts, and splints.
When the nerves in the hands are injured, this can lead to loss of sensation and function. While some mild nerve injuries can heal on their own, more severe cases need surgery at least 3-6 weeks after the injury. This surgery may entail reattaching one end of a severed nerve to the other end or replacing the damaged nerve with a healthy nerve from another body part (nerve graft).
This surgery is the only effective way to treat acute compartment syndrome. It is done by cutting the fascia to relieve the tension and bring back the circulation to the affected area.
Drainage is performed on hand abscesses to drain pus caused by infection. In severe cases, dead and contaminated tissues are also removed or debrided to prevent the infection from worsening and to promote healing.
Also known as arthroplasty, this procedure is performed on patients with severe osteoarthritis. The damaged joint is replaced with a prosthetic or artificial joint made of plastic, silicone rubber, or metal.
This surgical procedure aims to reattach a severed part of the hand and restore as much function as possible. This often includes microvascular surgery, which is performed through a microscope to reconnect nerves and blood vessels and restore blood supply to the amputated body part before tissue death begins.
If you think you may be a good candidate for hand surgery, we recommend scheduling an appointment with our qualified hand surgeon in Miami. Remember that early diagnosis and intervention both play a crucial role and even influence the ease and duration of recovery. During your consultation with our hand surgeon, you will be asked specific questions about your health and family history, expectations, and lifestyle. We encourage patients to be honest when answering our questions, as we will consider their answers in preparing a treatment plan. Be prepared to discuss the following topics with your hand surgeon:
Your answers to these questions will help our hand surgeon evaluate your overall health status and determine any risk factors or health conditions that need to be treated or dealt with before surgery. Our clinical staff will also perform a thorough examination of your hand. After this, you will discuss your options with the doctor. He will recommend the best course of treatment to restore the function of your hand. You will also be advised regarding the expected outcome of the surgery, the risks involved, possible complications (if there is any), the therapies needed to achieve full recovery, and how these may affect your lifestyle.
Prior to surgery, you may need to undergo medical evaluations and get some laboratory tests done. In some cases, you might need to adjust your current medications (if you are taking any) or take certain medications as instructed by your doctor. A few days before the surgery, patients are recommended to stop smoking, as it can delay healing. You should also avoid taking aspirin, blood thinners, certain anti-inflammatory medications, and herbal supplements because these can increase your risk of bleeding. Your plastic surgeon will also give you special instructions about:
If you have any questions about the surgery or if there is anything you do not fully understand, this is the best time to ask questions. Also, don’t forget to arrange for someone’s help to drive you to and from the surgery.
There are 4 main steps in reconstructive hand surgery:
For your comfort and to relieve your anxiety, you will be given medications that will prevent you from feeling any form of pain in the operative site. Your surgeon will recommend the appropriate anesthesia for the procedure. The options include local anesthesia, IV sedation, or general anesthesia.
Your surgeon will cut an opening in the affected hand to reveal the problem area. He will use various surgical techniques such as z-plasty, skin, bone or nerve grafting, and microvascular surgery.
Your plastic surgeon will close the incisions using sutures, which may be absorbable or non-absorbable, depending on your condition and the type of treatment performed. Dressings and bandages will also be applied to your hand to keep it clean and splints to stabilize and secure the hand when needed.
After the surgery, your plastic surgeon will give you instructions on the following:
You will also be advised to undergo physical therapy to maximize the benefits of surgery, improve hand function, strength, and flexibility, and facilitate a faster and safe recovery.
The length of the recovery period differs per patient. It may depend on the condition, the treatment, and the patient’s adherence to the prescribed therapeutic regimen. Patients who underwent a carpal tunnel release can fully recover within a few weeks to months. For more complicated conditions, the recovery period may take longer, from several months to a year. In cases of severe traumatic injuries to the hand, restoration of complete normal function may be challenging, and in some cases, no longer possible.
At Revive Plastic Surgery Institute, we’re dedicated to making you look and feel your best. During your initial consultation with us, you will have the opportunity to discuss your treatment goals, and we’ll explain how we can achieve them for you. Request for a free online consultation with our top plastic surgeons through this form. For more information on our office and the services we provide, please book an appointment or call us at (305) 600-5041.
The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.
