​​Common Conditions Requiring Hand and Upper Extremity Surgery:

​

1. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS):

   • A condition caused by compression of the median nerve as it passes through the carpal tunnel in the wrist, leading to pain, numbness, and tingling in the hand.

   • Surgical Treatment: Carpal Tunnel Release involves cutting the transverse carpal ligament to relieve pressure on the median nerve. This can be done through open surgery or a less invasive endoscopic technique.

2. Trigger Finger (Stenosing Tenosynovitis):

   • A condition where a finger gets stuck in a bent position and may “snap” when straightened due to inflamed or thickened tendons.

   • Surgical Treatment: Trigger Finger Release involves cutting the sheath around the affected tendon to allow smoother movement.

3. Dupuytren’s Contracture:

   • A condition that causes thickening of the connective tissue in the palm, leading to the fingers being pulled into a bent position.

   • Surgical Treatment: Fasciotomy or fasciectomy removes or releases the thickened tissue to improve finger extension. Minimally invasive techniques like needle aponeurotomy are also options.

4. Fractures of the Hand, Wrist, and Forearm:

   • Metacarpal and Phalangeal Fractures (bones in the hand and fingers) and distal radius fractures (wrist fractures) are common injuries from falls or trauma.

   • Surgical Treatment: Open Reduction and Internal Fixation (ORIF) uses plates, screws, or pins to stabilize broken bones for proper healing. In cases of severe fractures, external fixation may be required.

5. Tendon Injuries:

   • Tendon lacerations, ruptures, or degenerative conditions (e.g., De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis) can affect hand and wrist function.

   • Surgical Treatment: Tendon Repair involves suturing the tendon ends back together. In more complex cases, a tendon graft may be used to reconstruct the damaged tendon.

6. Ganglion Cysts:

   • Noncancerous lumps that typically develop along the tendons or joints of the wrist and hand.

   • Surgical Treatment: Excision of the ganglion cyst is recommended if it causes pain or interferes with function. It’s a relatively simple outpatient procedure.

7. Arthritis in the Hand and Wrist:

   • Degenerative joint diseases like osteoarthritis or inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis can cause joint damage and deformity, particularly in the small joints of the hand (e.g., at the base of the thumb).

   • Surgical Treatment:

     • Joint Fusion (Arthrodesis): Fuses the bones of the affected joint to eliminate pain.

     • Joint Replacement (Arthroplasty): Replaces the damaged joint with an artificial implant, often used in the thumb’s CMC (carpometacarpal) joint.

     • Synovectomy: Removal of inflamed tissue lining the joint.

8. Nerve Injuries:

   • Injuries to nerves in the upper extremities (e.g., the ulnar nerve, median nerve, or radial nerve) can lead to weakness, numbness, or loss of function.

   • Surgical Treatment: Nerve Repair or nerve grafting may be needed to restore nerve function. In the case of compression injuries (e.g., cubital tunnel syndrome affecting the ulnar nerve at the elbow), nerve decompression or transposition is performed.

9. Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis):

   • A painful condition caused by overuse of the elbow, leading to inflammation or small tears in the tendons that attach to the lateral epicondyle of the elbow.

   • Surgical Treatment: Tendon Release Surgery removes damaged tissue from the affected tendons to relieve pain. Most cases are treated conservatively, with surgery reserved for persistent cases.

10. Rotator Cuff Tears:

    • The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulder. Tears, either partial or complete, can occur due to overuse or injury.

    • Surgical Treatment: Rotator Cuff Repair involves suturing the torn tendon back to the bone. Minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques are often used.

11. Shoulder Dislocation and Instability:

    • Recurrent shoulder dislocations can lead to instability, pain, and decreased function.

    • Surgical Treatment: Bankart Repair (repair of the torn labrum and ligament) or capsular tightening can restore stability to the shoulder. These procedures are often done arthroscopically.

12. Biceps Tendon Rupture:

    • Rupture of the biceps tendon, particularly at the elbow or shoulder, can cause weakness and a deformity known as the “Popeye muscle.”

    • Surgical Treatment: Biceps Tendon Repair reattaches the tendon to its original position using sutures or anchors.

13. Shoulder Impingement Syndrome:

    • This condition occurs when the rotator cuff tendons become pinched under the bony arch of the shoulder.

    • Surgical Treatment: Subacromial Decompression involves removing bone spurs or a portion of the acromion (the bony part of the shoulder blade) to create more space for the tendons.