Orthopaedic Procedures: Hand & Wrist Surgery

Carpel Tunnel Release is a surgery used to treat and potentially heal the painful condition known as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. The carpal tunnel is formed by the wrist bones on the bottom and the transverse carpal ligament across the inside of the wrist. There are two types of carpal tunnel release: the traditional method, more commonly known as Open Carpal Tunnel Release, in which the surgeon cuts open the wrist to do the surgery.

The second method is Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release. This involves a thin, flexible tube containing a camera, being put into the wrist through a tiny incision. The camera guides the surgery which uses thin tools put into the wrist through another small cut.

Collateral ligaments stabilise and align the finger joints. These can be torn upon forceful abduction, blunt trauma or presence of a Stenor Lesion. Acute and chronic ligament tears can be treated through surgery, with anchors and soft tissue fixation. Such surgeries are completed to relieve the patient of pain and to return them to full mobility.

Trigger finger is a condition that causes your fingers or thumb to get stuck in a bent position. Those with this condition may have a stiffness when bending their fingers or hear snapping or popping when moving their finger. There are a few ways, including surgery, to treat trigger finger.

During surgical correction, the surgeon will cut through the affected section of the tendon sheath, so that your tendon can move freely again.

Dupytrens Contracture is a hand deformity that usually develops over some years. The condition affects a layer of tissue which lies under the skin of your palm. Knots of tissue form beneath this skin, eventually leading to a thick cord that can pull one or more of the fingers into a bent position.

The fingers affected by the condition cannot be straightened completely, making everyday activities very difficult. Untreated, the condition can progress to limit your ability to fully open your hand, grasp large objects or to get your hand into narrow places.

This extremely effective procedure restores movement to a patients hand almost immediately.

Ganglions are fluid-filled cysts which can appear quickly, disappear and change size. Many ganglion cysts may not require treatment. However, if the cyst is causing the patient pain, interferes with function or impacts the patient’s self-esteem, removal may be the best option.

During this procedure, the cyst as well as part of the joint capsule or tendon sheath considered to be the root of the ganglion are excised by your surgeon.

The radius is one of two of the forearm bones, located on the thumb side. The part of the radius connected to the wrist joint is called the distal radius. If the radius breaks near the wrist, this is called a distal radius fracture. Symptoms of this break would include immediate pain with tenderness when touched, bruising and swelling around the wrist. Deformity, ie the wrist being in an odd position, is another indication of a distal radius fracture.

This procedure is done to treat a torn or otherwise damaged tendon. Tendon repair is undertaken to bring back regular movement to a joint. In general, tendon repair is quite a simple procedure. A surgeon will make a small incision in the skin over the damaged tendon, sew the tendons back together, close the incision and cover the area with sterile bands or dressings.

Tenolysis is surgery to remove adhesions from a tendon. Adhesions happens when scar tissue forms and binds tendons to tissue. This surgery usually takes place for patients who have had an injury or surgery that affected the tendon.

The procedure includes an incision being made, where the tissue will then be cut to release the tendon. After this, the incision will be closed with stitches.

Involves removing a small bone, which is called the trapezium. This bone is situated at the base of the thumb and provides more space for the thumb to move so that the arthritic bone surfaces are not rubbing together, resulting in pain. Post-procedure, it’s important to keep your hand elevated to help get rid of the swelling, also moving the fingers is advised to prevent them from getting stiff.

Wrist Arthroplasty is an option for patients who suffer from painful arthritis and are not responding to the regular treatments. During this procedure, the damaged parts of the wrist’s bones are removed and replaced with artificial components.

Athritis of the wrist occurs through continual damage or wear and tear through injury, infection or disease. The bones rub against each other, wearing out the ends of the bones, causing development of painful arthritis.

A Wrist Arthroscopy is a surgical procedure used to diagnose and treat problems inside the joint. This procedure uses a small fiber optic instrument called an arthroscope which enables the surgeon to see inside the joint without making large incisions through muscle and tissue.

Beacon Hospital’s Orthopaedic Department uses this procedure to diagnose and treat a number of conditions of the wrist including chronic wrist pain, wrist fractures, ganglion cysts and ligament tears.