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.
About reconstructive hand surgery in Miami, Coral Gables
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:
- Hand parts failed to separate
- Hand parts failed to form or fully develop
- Duplicate fingers or polydactyl
- Underdeveloped fingers
- Overgrown fingers or macrodactyly
- Congenital constriction band syndrome
- Other problems with the skeletal system
Reconstructive surgery is also performed on patients who have sustained acute injuries to fingers, hand, or wrist
Acute injuries are injuries which are the result of sudden physical trauma to the body. Examples of this include:
- Crush injuries from a vehicular accident or machine malfunction
- Avulsion injuries from firework explosion or animal bite
- Deep penetrating injuries from sharp objects
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.
Common cases that need hand reconstruction include:
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:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Swan neck deformities
- Tendon lacerations
- Nail deformities
- Webbed fingers
- Fused fingers
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Hand tumors
- Dupuytren’s contracture
Am I a good candidate for hand plastic surgery in Miami, Coral Gables?
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:
- Does not smoke
- Is not suffering from other medical illness that may impair the healing process
- Understands what the surgery entails and have realistic goals for the surgery
- Has a positive attitude towards recovery and are willing to undergo therapy
- Is committed to following the course of treatment as advised by the plastic surgeon
What types of reconstructive hand surgery are there?
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:
Skin grafts
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
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.
Tendon repair
Tendons connect bones and muscles. They can be injured due to trauma or infection. Tendon repair is further subcategorized into 3 types:
- Primary - Performed within 24 hours after the injury.
- Delayed primary - Done several days after the injury as long as the wound is not yet healed.
- Secondary - May be done 2 weeks after the injury or even longer and may include tendon grafts and other complex procedures.
Closed reduction and fixation
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.
Nerve repairs
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).
Fasciotomy
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.
Surgical drainage and debridement
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.
Joint replacement
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.
Replantation
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.
What happens during your consultation for hand reconstructive surgery in Miami?
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:
- How does your hand condition affect your job or overall wellbeing?
- Why do you want to have hand surgery?
- What are your expectations during and after the surgery?
- What do you want to achieve, or what is your desired outcome?
- Do you have an existing medical condition?
- Do you have any drug allergies?
- Are you undergoing any medical treatments?
- What medications are you currently taking?
- Are you taking any herbal supplements or vitamins?
- Do you smoke? Drink alcohol? Use illicit drugs?
- Have you had any previous surgeries?
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.
How to prepare for hand plastic surgery in Miami and Coral Gables?
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:
- Where the surgery will take place
- What you should do on the day of the surgery
- What anesthesia will be used during the surgery
- How to take care of your hand after the operation
- When to come back for follow-up
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.
What to expect during reconstructive hand surgery in Coral Gables and Miami?
There are 4 main steps in reconstructive hand surgery:
Step 1. Numbing the hand
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.
Step 2. Making incisions
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.
Step 3. Closing the incisions
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.
Step 4. Aftercare
After the surgery, your plastic surgeon will give you instructions on the following:
- How to care for your hand at home
- What medications to take
- What activities to avoid
- What exercises to do
- When to return for a follow-up
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.
What to expect after reconstructive hand surgery in Miami?
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.
Learn more about Revive and reconstructive hand surgery in Coral Gables and Miami
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.