Overview
The human hand is an intricate and essential body part, allowing for many functions, from complex motor skills to simple daily tasks.
Injury, disease, or a congenital condition affecting the hand, wrist, or forearm can have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life.
Hand surgery in Jeddah is a highly specialized field that addresses these issues, aiming to restore function, relieve pain, and improve the overall aesthetics of the hand.
At King’s College Hospital (KCH) Jeddah, the expert hand surgery team provides comprehensive care for a broad spectrum of upper limb conditions. The specialists combine advanced surgical techniques with compassionate care to ensure the best possible outcomes for every patient.
What is hand surgery?
Hand surgery is a distinct field of medicine that focuses on treating problems in the hand, wrist, and forearm. It’s a broad specialty that involves managing bones, tendons, ligaments, nerves, joints, and skin in this area.
Unlike general orthopedic or plastic surgery, hand surgery requires a unique understanding of the complex, interconnected systems of the hand. It can be performed for various reasons, including trauma, disease, or congenital deformities. Common goals of hand surgery include:
- Restoring lost function and range of motion
- Relieving chronic pain
- Correcting deformities
- Improving the hand’s appearance
Common conditions treated by hand surgery in Jeddah
The hand surgery specialists at King’s College Hospital Jeddah are equipped to diagnose and treat various conditions. These include both acute injuries and chronic, degenerative problems.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: In this condition, the median nerve becomes compressed as it passes through a passage in the wrist known as the carpal tunnel. It can cause tingling, numbness, and pain in the hand and fingers.
The surgical procedure is designed to relieve nerve pressure, which helps restore function and reduce discomfort.
Arthritis: Hand surgery is an option for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, which can cause severe pain, swelling, and joint stiffness. Procedures, which can be either joint reconstruction or joint fusion, are chosen based on the condition’s severity.
Dupuytren’s Contracture: This condition causes the tissue beneath the skin of the palm to thicken, leading to fingers that curl inward. Surgery is often necessary to release the tightened cords of tissue and restore finger extension.
Trigger Finger: This condition causes a finger to get stuck in a bent position. The tendon sheath is released by a quick and effective surgical procedure, which lets the tendon glide freely again.
Trauma and Injury: This is a significant area of hand surgery. The team manages complex fractures, tendon and ligament injuries, nerve damage, and amputations, all to preserve function and appearance.
Diagnosis and treatment options
Physical exams and diagnostic imaging are used to perform a comprehensive evaluation of a patient’s hand or wrist condition, helping to understand the issue’s extent. This thorough assessment ensures the root cause of the symptoms is identified.
The specialists will discuss the findings in detail, ensuring the patient understands their diagnosis and how it impacts their hand function and overall quality of life. The aim is for the patient to feel informed and involved in their care from the start.
Personalized diagnostic tests, such as nerve conduction studies for carpal tunnel syndrome or specific imaging for fractures, are selected to provide precise information and guide treatment recommendations.
Tailored treatment plans include non-surgical and surgical options, carefully explained to help patients make informed decisions based on their condition’s specifics and personal preferences. The hospital details the procedure and recovery process and how it fits into the overall treatment goals for surgical candidates.
Non-surgical treatments are also fully explored, offering alternatives like physical therapy or injections that may relieve and improve function without surgery. KCH Jeddah emphasizes a holistic approach, incorporating pain management, rehabilitation, and lifestyle modifications to support recovery and long-term hand health.
Managing conditions with hand surgery
Active engagement in a prescribed rehabilitation program is crucial for recovery. These programs are designed to strengthen the hand, improve flexibility, and restore function, and they are tailored to the specific surgery or treatment.
Open communication about recovery and any pain experienced is encouraged. This dialogue allows the specialists to adjust pain management plans and rehabilitation exercises as needed, ensuring a patient’s comfort and progress.
Adherence to follow-up appointments is essential for monitoring healing and promptly addressing concerns. Implementing recommended hand care and preventive measures helps maintain surgical results and overall hand health.
The hospital guides avoiding activities, ergonomic adjustments, and exercises to strengthen the hand and wrist to prevent future issues.
Hand surgery and rehabilitation
While surgery is a critical step, it is only part of the journey to recovery. At KCH Jeddah, the hospital recognizes that successful outcomes depend on a comprehensive approach.
This is where hand surgery and rehabilitation become an essential partnership. Hand rehabilitation begins shortly after surgery, typically led by a specialized hand therapist (physiotherapist or occupational therapist).
The rehabilitation process is crucial for regaining strength, restoring range of motion, and improving dexterity. A tailored rehabilitation plan may include:
- Therapeutic exercises: To improve flexibility, strength, and coordination.
- Splinting and bracing: To protect the healing tissue and support the hand.
- Scar management: Techniques to reduce the appearance and tightness of scars.
- Pain management strategies: To help control post-operative discomfort.
Patients are actively involved in their rehabilitation, as consistency with exercises and therapy is vital for achieving the best possible result. This comprehensive and integrated approach at the hospital ensures that patients receive continuous care from consultation to full recovery.
What to Expect During Your Visit
A focused discussion will be held on a patient’s symptoms, how they affect daily activities, and treatment goals. This conversation helps tailor the evaluation and treatment recommendations to specific needs.
A detailed examination and explanation of the diagnosis will be provided, emphasizing understanding of the condition affecting the hand or wrist. A collaborative review of treatment options will also be conducted, weighing the benefits and risks of each.
Patient preferences and lifestyle are central to this shared decision-making process, ensuring the chosen path aligns with their expectations and recovery goals.
Personalized pre- and post-treatment care advice will be given and designed to support the recovery journey. The team is dedicated to providing all the information and resources needed for a successful outcome and a swift return to daily routines.
Expert care for your hands
At King’s College Hospital Jeddah, the hospital’s team is dedicated to providing compassionate and comprehensive care for all hand and upper limb conditions. The specialists are committed to restoring your hand’s function and improving your quality of life.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Common hand surgeries include procedures for carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, Dupuytren’s contracture, hand arthritis, and repairing traumatic injuries like fractures or tendon lacerations.
Hand surgery is the surgical field that treats problems of the hand, wrist, and forearm. It is a subspecialty of orthopedic and plastic surgery.
Hand surgery is performed under anesthesia, so the patient does not feel pain. Some pain and discomfort after surgery are normal, but they are managed effectively with prescribed pain medication.
Recovery involves a combination of rest, following your surgeon’s instructions, and engaging in a hand rehabilitation program. This includes performing specific exercises and sometimes wearing a cast or splint to protect the hand as it heals.
Rehabilitation is a specialized therapy program designed to help patients regain strength, improve their range of motion, and restore hand function. It typically involves therapeutic exercises, massages, and specialized splints or braces.
The duration of hand rehabilitation varies greatly depending on the type of surgery, the severity of the condition, and the patient’s dedication. For minor procedures, it may take a few weeks, while more complex reconstructive surgeries can require several months.
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