Hand Surgery: Operative Treatments on the Human Hand

The human hand is perhaps the most complex and sensitive movable organ. Performing operations on the hand requires lengthy specialist training and experience, as well as extensive knowledge of specialist equipment. Well practised use of micro-surgical and endoscopic instruments and technology is also essential. In conjunction with these skills, careful examination and diagnosis is necessary to achieve an optimal treatment plan. Our team treat hand problems, injuries and malformations, and regularly perform operations relating to nerve constriction problems such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, (CTS). We are among the pioneers who developed a minimally invasive micro-surgical procedure for CTS, using very small incisions. Dupuytren Contracture also debilitates fingers and can be treated with a micro-surgical procedure. Many patients suffer with arthrosis / arthritis, often occurring at the base of the thumb, and which can be effectively treated through arthroplasty.

The Consultation Process

In order to give you the optimal treatment plan for your situation, a careful diagnostic examination is a necessary prerequisite. Please send us your medical records, x-rays, and photos, in advance of the consultation appointment. After reviewing the documents and conducting our own examination, we can provide you with a recommendation as to the best course of action. We often organise a more specialised examination using NMR, (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy), technology.

Hand Surgery – The Operation

Many hand procedures can be accomplished using local or nerve blocking anaesthetics. In cases where full anaesthesia is necessary, this will be administered by anaesthetists from the University of Freiburg’s Medical Clinics. Also more complicated operations on the hand, can take several hours.

Hand Surgery – Post-operative Care

Hand surgery requires ongoing follow up care, often involving specialist physiotherapy and rehabilitation, while the recovery process can take time, as the hand is a very sensitive organ. Therefore we emphasise the importance of an individualised pain management programme for you following hand surgery.

Hand Surgery – at a glance

Post-operative Care:

• Professional post-operative care, especially physiotherapy, is very important where hand surgery is concerned. In order to attain maximum benefit and success from treatment, active participation and effort is needed throughout the healing process.
• The hand is a very sensitive organ and pain hinders the recovery of functional use. For this reason, individualised pain management is invaluable. As pain affects different people in different ways, please tell us if you are suffering pain following the operation, so we can provide you with the appropriate pain relief to meet your individual situation. Also acute pain resulting from the operation itself, can be dealt with effectively, and made tolerable following surgery. Pain resulting from the operation wound usually goes away after one to two days.
• If immobilisation is needed with a caste, brace or splint, we attempt to restrict them as closely as possible to the affected area, as it is important that the healthy joints are able to move freely.

Anaesthetic:

• In many cases, hand surgery can be performed using an anaesthetic to the arm, (plexus anaesthesia), or a local anaesthetic, (as is the case with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome). However, patients who wish to be fully sedated during the operation, can opt for a general anaesthetic, which will be administered and monitored by an anaesthetist from the University of Freiburg Medical Clinics.

Clinic Stay:

• Small operations can be performed as day surgery, while for more complex procedures requiring rehabilitation and drainage of wounds, we recommend a stay in order to provide the necessary supervision and medical support.