Hand Fracture Surgery: Restore Hand Function and Relieve Pain
To help you discuss hand fracture surgery as a treatment option with your orthopedic surgeon, here’s a breakdown of this surgical procedure.
What Is a Hand Fracture?
The hand is one of the “busiest” parts of our body, making it more prone to injuries, such as sprains and strains, fractures and dislocations, among others.
A hand fracture occurs when one of the bones in the hand is broken.
The most common symptoms of a hand fracture include severe pain, swelling, bruising, bleeding, deformity, discoloration of the skin, or limited mobility of the hand.
What Are the Treatment Options for a Hand Fracture?
There are two main non-surgical and surgical procedures for healing a hand fracture:
- Non-operative closed reduction therapy occurs when the bones are manipulated back into place, and then placed into a cast for up to six weeks.
- Hand fracture surgery is performed to restore the structure and function of the damaged hand bones.
How Is Hand Fracture Surgery Performed?
The orthopedic surgeon performs hand fracture surgery according to the following procedure:
- Expose the fracture site.
- Realign the bones and perform reduction on the fracture site using wires, plates, screws, and intramedullary nails.
- Close the wound site and place the hand in a cast for up to six weeks.
What Happens After Hand Fracture Surgery?
The orthopedic surgeon will provide the following post-operative instructions to provide the most effective healing:
- Limit activities even after the removal of the cast or brace so that the bone becomes solid enough to bear stress
- Perform physical therapy and rehabilitation programs to strengthen the muscles and improve range of motion
Whether it’s major or minor, a hand fracture can keep you in pain and rob you from enjoying day-to-day activities. Your hands are too important to take for granted. If you require hand fracture surgery, let our expert team give you the highest level of care you deserve.