Hand and elbow surgery
Surgical information leaflet:
Why would hand and elbow surgery be needed?
Joints of the hand and elbow can suffer damage due to trauma and disease. This damage can be corrected with various surgical treatments, depending on the severity of the condition.
Some common conditions that affect the joints of the hands and elbows include:
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a condition that affects the median nerve in the wrist. This nerve runs through the carpal tunnel in the arm and can cause pain and numbness when under pressure. - Trigger Finger
Trigger Finger is a condition that occurs when there is swelling in the tendons of the fingers or thumbs. This swelling causes trigger-like pain in the fingers and can also limit the mobility of the fingers too. - De Quervain’s Tendonitis
De Quervain’s Tendonitis is characterised by swelling in the tendons of the thumb and wrist, which can cause pain and discomfort. - Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome is a condition that causes tingling and numbness in the fingers due to pressure on the ulna nerve of the arm. - Ganglions and Cysts
Ganglions and cysts are build-ups of fluid that can occur in the joints of the fingers, wrists and other joints of the arm. - Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis causes wear and tear of cartilaginous tissues in the body. In the hand, the most commonly affected area is the base of the thumb. When the cartilage in the thumb wears away, this causes grating between the bones, which in turn causes pain and further damage to the bone. - Tennis Elbow
This is a condition characterised by inflammation in the tendons of the upper arm. These tendons allow for elbow, wrist and finger movement and can, therefore, affect mobility in the arm when inflamed.
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How is it done?
Hand and elbow surgery can be performed to relieve pressure on nerves, repair torn tendons and remove growths or deformities. Surgery largely depends on the underlying cause of pain and discomfort in the arm. Dr Oosthuizen may perform hand and elbow surgery arthroscopically with minimally invasive techniques. Using an arthroscope with a small camera, Dr Oosthuizen can closely examine the joints in the elbow, wrist or hands to identify issues.
During the arthroscopic examination, Dr Oosthuizen may use other small surgical instruments to repair tendon and nerve damage present in the elbow or hands. If degeneration of bone has occurred due to conditions such as arthritis, this bone may be surgically removed as well.
What can be expected after surgery?
After surgery in the hand or elbow is complete, you will need to keep your arm rested and immobile for several weeks. During this process, you may need to wear a sling or brace to help with healing. Dr Oosthuizen will also prescribe pain medication and advise you on physical exercises that can help you regain full mobility of your arm. Your recovery time will depend on the type of hand or elbow surgery you have. This can take anywhere from six weeks to several months.
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This varies depending on the type of surgery performed.
Strong pain medications will be given to you after surgery, and after a few days, the pain will subside.
The duration of recovery depends on the type of surgery performed and the technique used.
