Ask the Experts
Dupuytren’s Contracture
Cause
Dupuytren’s Contracture or Morbus Dupuytren is a condition caused when one or more fingers become permanently bent or in a flexed position, hard nodules or strands. This condition does not resolve itself and may require surgical intervention.
Treatment
A surgical procedure under local anesthesia will release that tight pulley in the finger through a very small incision. Sutures are removed after 2 weeks.
Hospital Admission: Outpatient
Recuperation time: 2 – 4 weeks depending on severity
Post Surgery
Physiotherapy needed in severe cases.
Carpal Tunnel
Cause
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is caused when the Median Nerve, a major hand nerve responsible for sensation in the thumb, index, middle and parts of the ring finger, is compressed. Swelling causes the fragile nerve’s function to be compromised. Patients affected typically experience pain in their hand and arm more so at night.
Treatment
Treatment consists of surgically releasing the rigid ligament that compresses the nerve. Surgery is performed under local anesthesia through a small incision. Although sutures are removed after two weeks, patients may require more time to recover full nerve function.
Hospital Admission: Outpatient
Recuperation Time: 2 – 4 weeks
Post Surgery
Physiotherapy is helpful in severe cases.
De Quervain’s Tendinosis
Cause
Painful inflammation of the tendons on the side of the wrist along the base of the thumb.
Treatment
Injection of steroids can in mild cases cure the problem. More severe cases require surgery to release the fibrous roof of the tunnel through which the inflamed tendons pass.
Hospital Admission: Outpatient
Recuperation Time: 2 – 4 weeks
Post Surgery
Physiotherapy is helpful in severe cases.
Wrist Arthroscopy
Cause
The painful wrist is a common problem and very often the cause may be unknown. Wrist arthroscopy offers the possibility to look inside the wrist in a minimally invasive way to detect the cause of pain and repair immediately if possible.
Treatment
A surgical incision is made that is 1mm long. This minute incision creates minimal wounding and contributes to faster recuperation speeds. No sutures are needed.
Hospital Admission: Outpatient
Recuperation Time: Depends on the diagnosis
Post Surgery
Physiotherapy depends on the diagnosis.
Microsurgery
Cause
After hand injuries or as a consequence of disease, many patients are left with loss of function of the hand and wrist. This can be very debilitating and often leads to problems relating to work, independence and physical activities. Severe injuries might involve the destruction of vital structures of the hand or lower arm such as nerves or blood vessels which may need reconnecting to save function or even to avoid amputation. In other cases, amputated body parts can be reconnected and saved.
Treatment
Microsurgery is a very specialized and complex surgical procedure reconnecting blood vessels and nerves (of 1-3 mm diameter) with micro sutures under a microscope.
Hospital Admission: Depends on treatment
Recuperation Time: Depends on treatment
Post Surgery
Physiotherapy depends on treatment.
Reconstruction
Cause
After hand injuries or as a consequence of disease, many patients are left with loss of function of the hand and wrist. This can be very debilitating and often leads to problems relating to work, independence and physical activities.
Treatment
Plastic surgery offers reconstruction techniques that can range from reconstruction of tendons and nerves all the way to the reconstruction of a lost thumb. These surgical procedures can restore full or partial function of the hand, restoring quality of life to many patients.
Hospital Admission: Depends on treatment
Recuperation Time: Depends on treatment
Post Surgery
Physiotherapy depends on treatment.