Hand Surgery
What Is Hand Surgery?
Hand surgery treats a wide range of conditions affecting the bones, tendons, nerves, and soft tissue of the hand and wrist — from acute traumatic injuries to chronic, progressive conditions that limit movement and function over time. Given the hand’s complexity and importance in daily life, Dr. Esen combines precise surgical technique with careful functional planning to restore movement, sensation, and comfort.
Symptoms and Concerns Hand Surgery Can Address
Hand surgery may be suitable if you experience:
- Injury to the hand or wrist from an accident, fall, or other trauma
- A torn or damaged tendon affecting finger or hand movement
- Numbness, tingling, or weakness suggesting nerve compression or injury
- Wrist or finger pain and numbness consistent with carpal tunnel syndrome
- A finger that catches, locks, or clicks when bending or straightening (trigger finger)
- Thickened tissue in the palm causing fingers to curl inward (Dupuytren's contracture)
- A completely or partially severed finger requiring reattachment
Types of Hand Surgery
Dr. Esen tailors the surgical approach to the specific condition affecting the hand:
Hand Trauma
Addresses fractures, lacerations, crush injuries, and other acute damage to the bones and soft tissue of the hand, repairing structural and soft tissue damage to restore both function and appearance.
Tendon Injuries
Repairs torn or lacerated tendons that control finger and hand movement, reconnecting the damaged tendon and guiding careful rehabilitation to restore range of motion and strength.
Peripheral Nerve Surgery
Repairs or decompresses damaged or compressed nerves in the hand, wrist, or forearm to relieve pain, numbness, or weakness and restore normal nerve function and sensation.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Releases pressure on the median nerve at the wrist, relieving the numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hand caused by this common nerve compression condition.
Trigger Finger
Releases the tightened tendon pulley that causes a finger to catch or lock during movement, restoring smooth, pain-free finger motion.
Dupuytren’s Contracture
Removes or releases the thickened, fibrous tissue in the palm that causes fingers to curl inward, restoring the ability to straighten the affected fingers.
Finger Replantation
Reattaches a completely or partially severed finger using microsurgical techniques to reconnect bone, tendon, nerve, and blood vessels, aiming to restore both function and appearance.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Hand Surgery?
You may be a good candidate if you:
- Have experienced a traumatic hand or finger injury
- Have persistent numbness, tingling, or weakness in the hand or fingers
- Experience a locking or catching sensation in a finger
- Notice progressive curling of one or more fingers into the palm
- Are in stable overall health for the planned surgical procedure
During your consultation, Dr. Esen conducts a detailed examination of your hand function, along with any relevant imaging, to determine the most appropriate surgical approach and recovery plan.
How Hand Surgery Is Performed
Hand surgery is typically performed under local, regional, or general anesthesia depending on the procedure, and can range from under an hour for smaller procedures to several hours for complex trauma or replantation.
- 1. A thorough evaluation of the affected structures — bone, tendon, nerve, or soft tissue
- 2. Precise incisions are placed to access the damaged or affected area
- 3. Damaged tissue is repaired, released, or reconstructed depending on the specific condition
- 4. For replantation, microsurgical techniques reconnect bone, tendon, nerve, and blood vessels under a surgical microscope
- 5. The hand is carefully dressed and, when needed, splinted to protect the repair during initial healing
Recovery Timeline
Days 1–7 Swelling, discomfort, and limited movement are expected. A splint or protective dressing is typically worn.
Weeks 2–4 Initial healing progresses, and a hand therapy or rehabilitation program often begins during this period.
Weeks 6–8 Strength and range of motion continue to improve with ongoing therapy, as guided by Dr. Esen.
Months 3–6 Function continues to improve as healing matures, particularly for tendon, nerve, or replantation cases.
Months 6–12 Final functional results are achieved, particularly for more complex nerve or replantation procedures.
Expected Results
A successful hand surgery delivers:
- Restored movement and function in the treated hand or fingers
- Relief from pain, numbness, or catching sensations
- Improved hand strength and dexterity
- Successful reattachment and restored function in replantation cases
- A meaningful return to daily activities and hand-dependent tasks
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Will I need hand therapy after surgery?
Many hand surgery patients benefit significantly from a structured hand therapy program to maximize strength and range of motion during recovery.
How urgent is finger replantation?
Finger replantation is time-sensitive, and outcomes are generally best when surgery is performed as soon as possible after the injury.
Will carpal tunnel or trigger finger come back after surgery?
Recurrence is uncommon after properly performed surgery, though ongoing repetitive strain or certain underlying conditions can contribute to symptoms recurring in some cases.
Can Dupuytren's contracture return after treatment?
The condition can be progressive, and while surgery effectively corrects the current contracture, some patients may develop new areas of thickening over time.
Is hand surgery painful during recovery?
Discomfort is expected in the initial days following surgery but is generally well managed with prescribed pain control and typically improves steadily during recovery.