Hand Surgery

Our hands are marvels of engineering, allowing us to perform countless tasks with remarkable dexterity. But due to their intricate structure and constant use, they’re also susceptible to a variety of injuries and conditions. When nonsurgical treatments fail to provide relief, hand surgery becomes an option. Consequently, the Kopec Law Firm provides this webpage to look at some of the most common hand surgeries, and the conditions they address. Unfortunately, hand surgery is not always successful and sometime the result in medical malpractice. If you have had a hand surgery that has left you with an injury, then you may be the victim of surgical error. You should consult with the Baltimore hand surgery lawyer.

Anatomy of the Hand with the Baltimore Hand Surgery Lawyer

The hand is a complex structure composed of bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, and also blood vessels. Each component plays a vital role in the hand’s function, allowing for a wide range of movement and dexterity.

Bones

The hand contains 27 bones, divided into three groups:

• Carpals: These eight small bones form the wrist joint, connecting the hand to the forearm.
• Metacarpals: These five long bones form the palm of the hand.
• Phalanges: These 14 bones make up the fingers and thumb. Each finger has three phalanges (distal, middle, and proximal), while the thumb has only two.

Muscles

The hand is controlled by a complex network of muscles, both intrinsic and extrinsic.

• Intrinsic muscles: These muscles are located within the hand itself and are responsible for fine motor movements, such as gripping and pinching.
• Extrinsic muscles: These muscles originate in the forearm and insert into the hand, providing power for larger movements, such as flexing and extending the wrist and fingers.

Tendons and Ligaments

• Tendons: These fibrous tissues connect muscles to bones, allowing for movement of the hand and fingers.
• Ligaments: These strong, fibrous tissues connect bones to bones, providing stability to the joints of the hand.

Nerves – Baltimore Hand Surgery Lawyer

The hand is innervated by three main nerves:

• Median nerve: Supplies sensation to the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and the radial side of the ring finger. It also controls the muscles responsible for thumb movement and fine motor skills.
• Ulnar nerve: Supplies sensation to the little finger and the ulnar side of the ring finger. It also controls the muscles responsible for finger flexion and adduction.
• Radial nerve: Supplies sensation to the back of the hand and fingers. It also controls the muscles responsible for wrist and finger extension.

Blood Vessels

The hand’s blood supply is provided by the radial and ulnar arteries, which form a network of arches within the hand. These arteries branch off to supply blood to the fingers and palm.

Diagnosis of Hand Conditions

• Hand Surgeon: Hand surgeons are highly trained specialists who can diagnose and treat a wide range of hand and upper extremity conditions. They have expertise in both surgical and non-surgical treatments.
• Orthopedic Surgeon: Orthopedic surgeons specialize in treating conditions of the musculoskeletal system, including bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. They can diagnose and treat hand and wrist injuries and diseases.
• Primary Care Physician (PCP): Your primary care physician can often diagnose and treat minor hand injuries, such as sprains and strains. If your condition is more complex, they may refer you to a hand specialist.

Surgeons

• Hand Surgeon: As mentioned above, hand surgeons are the primary specialists for hand surgery. They have the expertise to perform a wide range of procedures, from simple carpal tunnel release to complex microsurgery.
• Plastic Surgeon: Plastic surgeons can also perform hand surgery, particularly for reconstructive procedures after injuries or trauma.
• Orthopedic Surgeon: Some orthopedic surgeons specialize in hand surgery and can perform a variety of procedures, including tendon repairs and joint replacements.

Remember: It’s always best to consult with a healthcare professional to determine the best course of action for your specific hand condition.

Baltimore Hand Surgery Lawyer: Types of Surgery

Carpal Tunnel Release

• Condition: Carpal tunnel syndrome arises when the median nerve, responsible for feeling and movement in the thumb, index, middle, and half of the ring finger, gets compressed within the carpal tunnel, a narrow passage in the wrist.
• Symptoms: Numbness, tingling, or burning sensation in the thumb, index, middle, and half of the ring finger, especially at night. Weakness and difficulty gripping objects may also occur.
• Doctor: Orthopedic hand surgeon.
• Surgery: An outpatient procedure performed under local anesthesia with sedation. The surgeon specifically makes a small incision in the palm to release the ligament compressing the median nerve.
• Outcomes: Most patients generally experience significant improvement in symptoms within a few weeks. Risks include infection, bleeding, and nerve injury.

Tendon Repair

• Condition: A tendon connects muscle to bone and allows for movement. Tendon injuries can occur due to cuts, lacerations, or overuse.
• Symptoms: Pain, weakness, difficulty gripping, and also visible deformity or inability to move a finger are common signs.
• Doctor: Orthopaedic hand surgeon
• Surgery: The complexity depends on the severity of the injury. Surgery usually involves stitching the torn ends of the tendon back together. Anesthesia type varies depending on the extent of repair needed.
• Outcomes: Early diagnosis and surgery lead to better outcomes. Recovery involves splinting and hand therapy to regain strength and mobility. Risks include infection, stiffness, and incomplete healing.

Dupuytren’s Contracture Release

• Condition: Dupuytren’s contracture is a condition that causes a thickening of the palmar fascia, the tissue under the skin in the palm, which can pull the fingers inward, making it difficult to straighten them.
• Symptoms: Thickening of the palm, progressive contracture (curving) of one or more fingers, and difficulty flattening the hand.
• Doctor: Orthopaedic hand surgeon
• Surgery: Depending on the severity, surgery might involve a needle technique (fasciotomy) to break up the tight bands. Another option is an open surgery to remove the thickened fascia.
• Outcomes: Surgery can improve finger extension, but recurrence is somewhat common. Risks include infection, nerve injury, and incomplete correction of the contracture.

Trigger Finger Release

• Condition: Trigger finger occurs when a tendon sheath in the finger becomes inflamed, causing the finger to get stuck in a bent position.
• Symptoms: Sudden catching or locking of a finger, often accompanied by a snapping sensation. Pain and tenderness at the base of the finger are also common.
• Doctor: Orthopaedic hand surgeon
• Surgery: A minor outpatient procedure. The surgeon makes a small incision to release the constriction around the tendon.
• Outcomes: Most patients experience immediate relief from the triggering. Risks include infection, bleeding, and incomplete release.

Joint Replacement Surgery (Arthroplasty) – Baltimore Hand Surgery Lawyer

• Condition: Severe arthritis can damage the cartilage in the hand joints, causing pain, stiffness, and decreased mobility.
• Symptoms: Pain, swelling, stiffness, and difficulty performing daily activities due to limited joint movement.
• Doctor: Orthopaedic hand surgeon
• Surgery: The surgeon replaces the damaged joint with an artificial one made of metal, plastic, or a combination of materials. The type of replacement and surgical approach vary depending on the joint involved.
• Outcomes: Joint replacement can significantly improve pain and function. Risks include infection, bleeding, loosening of the implant, and nerve injury.

Fracture Repair (Closed Reduction and Internal Fixation)

• Condition: A fracture refers to a broken bone. Hand fractures can occur due to falls, direct blows, or repetitive stress.
• Symptoms: Pain, swelling, bruising, deformity, and difficulty moving the affected finger(s).
• Doctor: Orthopaedic hand surgeon
• Surgery: For some fractures, closed reduction (realigning the bones without an incision) followed by internal fixation (using pins, wires, or screws to hold the bones in place) might be sufficient. However, in some cases, an open reduction with internal fixation involving an incision may be necessary.
• Outcomes: Most fractures generally heal well with proper immobilization and hand therapy

Next Step: Call the Baltimore Hand Surgery Lawyer

Any damage to the bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, or blood vessels of the hand can result in significant impairment of function. Medical malpractice involving the hand can occur in a variety of ways, including:

• Failure to diagnose or misdiagnosis of a hand injury
• Improper treatment of a hand injury
• Surgical errors
• Nerve damage
• Failure to obtain informed consent for hand surgery

If you believe you have suffered a hand injury due to medical malpractice, it is important to consult with an attorney who specializes in this area of law.

If you have had a hand surgery that has left you with an injury, visit the free consultation page or video. Then contact the Kopec Law Firm at 800-604-0704 to speak directly with Attorney Mark Kopec. He is a top-rated Baltimore medical malpractice lawyer. The Kopec Law Firm is in Baltimore and pursues cases throughout Maryland and Washington, D.C.