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Hand surgery is a broad term that covers many different types of procedures. Plastic surgeons who perform hand surgery seek to restore hand and finger function. But hand surgeons also try to make the hand look as normal as possible, as well. Hand reconstructive surgery may be done for many reasons, including:

• Hand injuries
• Rheumatic diseases, such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, that change and damage the structures in the hand
• Degenerative changes to the structures in the hand
• Problems or defects of the hand that are present at birth, or congenital
• Infections of the hand

What are the different types of hand surgery?

Many different types of surgeries can be performed on the hand. It depends on the underlying cause of the problem. These procedures include:

Skin grafts

Skin grafts for the hand involve replacing or attaching skin to a part of the hand that has missing skin.

Skin flaps

Like a skin graft, skin flaps for the hand involve taking skin from another part of the body. But this procedure uses skin that has its own blood supply.

Closed reduction and fixation

This may be used when there is a bone fracture, or broken bone, in part of the hand, including the fingers.

Tendon repair

Tendons are the fibers that join muscle to bone. Tendon repair in the hand is a difficult surgery because of the structure of the tendon.

Secondary repairs may occur 2 to 5 weeks or longer after the injury.

Nerve repairs

An injury can damage the nerves in the hand. This can cause a loss of hand function and a loss of feeling in the hand. Some nerve injuries may heal on their own. Others may require surgery.

Fasciotomy

This procedure is done to help treat compartment syndrome. This painful condition occurs when there is swelling and increased pressure in a small space, or compartment, in the body. Often this is caused by an injury.

For a fasciotomy, your doctor will make a cut or incision in your hand or arm. This decreases the pressure, lets the muscle tissue swell, and restores blood flow.

Surgical drainage or debridement

Hand infections are very common. Treatment for hand infections may include rest, using heat, elevation, antibiotics, and surgery.

Replantation

This type of surgery reattaches a body part, such as a finger, hand, or toe, which has been completely cut or severed from the body. The goal is to restore as much function as possible. Replantation uses microsurgery.