Hand Reconstruction Surgery

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Proper use of the hands is important to every aspect of our lives. If an injury, deformity, or other condition limits or prohibits that use, a specialist may recommend hand reconstruction surgery.

During a hand reconstruction, your surgeon may repair, reconstruct, or replace nerves, blood vessels, muscles, tendons, bones, skin, or other tissues as needed to correct your hand condition and restore normal function. Surgeons perform many common hand reconstruction surgeries, including those for carpal tunnel syndrome treatment, on an outpatient basis. More complex hand reconstruction surgeries, such as the reattachment or replacement of a severed arm, hand, finger, or thumb, generally require hospitalization.

Hand Reconstruction Surgery to Treat Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

If you suffer with symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, your hand specialist may recommend reconstruction surgery. At Brown Hand Center, the carpal tunnel leader, the preferred surgical treatment is the Brown Procedure, a safe and effective outpatient procedure.  The surgeon makes two tiny incisions, one in the palm and one near the wrist, and divides the transverse carpal ligament with endoscopic visualization to release pressure on the nerve and eliminate carpal tunnel symptoms. This minimally invasive procedure with long-term effectiveness offers significantly less pain, recovery time, and scarring than an open carpal tunnel release.

Hand Reconstruction Surgery for Treatment of Trauma

Various injuries to the wrist, hand, and fingers require reconstructive surgery. Amputations, damaged or torn tendons, broken bones, crush injuries, and severe lacerations are a few such injuries. Seeking emergency treatment by a hand specialist helps increase the likelihood for successful reconstruction.

Hand Deformities & Inherited Diseases Corrected with Reconstructive Surgery

Hand reconstruction surgery is often recommended for a number of congenial deformities, including clubhand, duplication of digits, and complex syndactyly (webbed fingers), as well as for inherited diseases like Dupuytren’s Contracture. Although the healing period after this type of hand reconstruction is longer, patients can then enjoy normal function of their hands, rather than living with a disability.

Finding the Best Surgeon for Hand Reconstruction

Hand reconstruction surgery is a complex procedure, requiring extensive knowledge of the hand and how each part works in balance for proper function. It also requires technical training in the use of advanced medical equipment.

Hand doctors at Brown Hand Center have it. At Brown, you will find highly skilled, trained, and accomplished surgeons who specialize in the hand and wrist. Their training and experience includes areas like microsurgery, microvascular surgery, joint reconstruction and replacement, and transplantation, as well as expertise in the Brown Procedure.

If you are considering hand reconstruction surgery, contact a surgeon at the Center nearest you. You can book an appointment by submitting the form provided; no referral required.

 

Thumb Surgery: Why You Might Need It

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Numerous conditions and injuries can lead to the need for thumb surgery. If a physician referred you to a specialist for surgery on your thumb, you probably know why.

Often, though, people experience pain, numbness, or other problems with one or both of their thumbs and do not know the cause. Others suffer a thumb injury and attempt to self-treat it, unaware of a need for surgery. For those people, postponing surgery could lead to more extensive, permanent damage. Identifying the problem is the first step toward proper treatment.

Thumb Injuries often Require Surgical Treatment

One of the most common reasons for thumb surgery is to treat an injury. If you fracture a bone in your thumb, your hand specialist may need to perform surgery to realign the bone fragments and hold them in place while the bone heals.

A moderate or severe dislocation of the thumb joint may need surgery to prevent joint instability and other problems, including the development of arthritis. A rupture of the ulnar collateral ligament, known as skier’s thumb, is another common injury treated with thumb surgery.  Partial or complete amputation of the thumb also requires surgical treatment.

Surgical Treatment of Thumb Conditions

In chronic or untreated cases of carpal tunnel syndrome, muscles at the base of the thumb can develop atrophy and need surgical treatment. The minimally invasive endoscopic carpal tunnel surgery can correct the problem.

Thumb arthritis, or basal joint arthritis, is another condition a hand specialist may treat with thumb surgery. This type of arthritis is more common in people with osteoarthritis.

Stenosing tenosynovitis, known as trigger thumb, is also a painful condition often surgically treated. With trigger thumb, your thumb sticks in a bent position and then pops when straightening. In severe cases, the thumb locks and will not straighten. Surgery can restore proper movement.

One of the most recently named thumb conditions is texting thumb.  A form of tendonitis, texting thumb is a repetitive strain injury that can become severe enough to require surgical treatment when symptoms are ignored.

Visit Brown Hand Center for Thumb Surgery

If you think you need thumb surgery, or you suffer with thumb pain and other hand problems, visit Brown Hand Center, where you can get the proper evaluation and treatment your thumb needs for normal function. Thumb surgery is among the Brown Hand Center specialties, generally performed on an outpatient basis at one of our six hand surgery centers. To book an appointment, click here.

 

Hand Specialist in Austin for Surgery, Carpal Tunnel Treatment

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If you suffer with wrist or hand pain from an injury or condition and want the best hand specialist in Austin, visit Brown Hand Center. For more than two decades, specialists at Brown, a leader in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome, have provided high-quality care second to none and helped thousands of patients regain normal, pain-free use of their hands. Whether you need hand surgery, treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome, or diagnosis and treatment of another hand or wrist condition, Brown Hand Center’s highly-qualified hand specialists in Austin, TX, can provide it.

Onsite Hand Surgery Center

Did you know Brown Hand Center specialists can perform surgery on site – not in an outpatient procedure room, but in a fully equipped, skillfully staffed hand surgery center?  With a focus on minimally invasive techniques, Brown Hand Center specialists in Austin perform surgical procedures to treat various wrist and hand injuries and conditions, including birth defects, tumors, osteoarthritis, and tennis elbow, as well as carpal tunnel syndrome. Read more about the hand surgery center.

Emergency Treatment for Wrist & Hand Injuries

If you suffer an injury to your wrist, hand, or finger and need emergency treatment in Austin, you can call Brown Hand Center immediately, at any time of the day or night. If emergency surgery is necessary, one of the surgeons can perform it.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment in Austin

Although our hand specialists in Austin diagnose and treat all hand and wrist conditions, people from around the world have come to Brown Hand Center for carpal tunnel syndrome treatment. In Austin, you won’t have to travel far to receive the same advanced treatment.

To schedule an appointment with a hand specialist in Austin, contact Brown Hand Center.

 

Carpal Tunnel Doctors in Las Vegas Focus on Minimally Invasive Techniques

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If you suffer with hand and wrist pain, and are searching for the best carpal tunnel doctors in Las Vegas, come to Brown Hand Center. A leader in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome, Brown Hand Center can help you regain normal, pain-free use of your hand and return to your regular routine as quickly as possible.

Living with the pain and other symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome can significantly impact your life. Untreated CTS can lead to muscles wasting away and permanent nerve damage. In a procedure lasting minutes, the specialists at Brown Hand Center can turn a CTS condition around.

Carpal tunnel doctors at Brown specialize in minimally invasive techniques designed to relieve pressure on the nerve causing you pain, as well as prevent permanent nerve damage. Las Vegas hand specialist, Dr. Nitin Engineer, board certified in both general and hand surgery, skillfully performs the Brown Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release, as do other specialists at Brown Hand Center.

Minimally Invasive Carpal Tunnel Treatment Proven Safer, Effective

Unlike other endoscopic treatments of carpal tunnel syndrome that have resulted in complications, clinical studies and results from more than 20 years of performing the Brown Procedure  have proven it to be a safe treatment with long-term effectiveness.

The carpal tunnel specialists at Brown Hand Center safely perform this procedure in minutes on an out-patient basis for patients from around the world. Your surgeon will only make two tiny incisions, no stitches. In most cases, patients can return to work the next day and fully use the hand without restriction within a week. Any scarring is minimal.

To learn more about the Brown Procedure and schedule an appointment with one of our Las Vegas carpal tunnel doctors for evaluation and treatment, contact Brown Hand Center now.

 

B6 Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment: 3 Things You Should Know

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Suffering with the pain of carpal tunnel syndrome, you may search for and try alternative at-home remedies you’ve heard or read about. If vitamin B6, is one of them, consider the following:

1. Studies of B6 as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment Yield Mixed Results

In studying vitamin B6 and carpal tunnel syndrome, researchers found that a B6 deficiency is not uncommon in CTS patients. Inflammation can cause depletion of B6. Studies have also shown that a B6 deficiency can cause inflammation, and inflammation can increase CTS symptoms.

However, no conclusive studies have proven B6 is an effective carpal tunnel syndrome treatment.  While some practitioners recommend it as an adjunct in the treatment of CTS, you are wise not to rely on the supplement to heal your condition and eliminate the need for carpal tunnel surgery.

2. The Risks & Side Effects of Vitamin B6

Suffering with carpal tunnel pain, some people will try high doses of vitamin B6 as a home treatment. Although your body needs a certain amount of vitamins and minerals, taking excess supplements can adversely affect your health.

The recommended daily intake of vitamin B6 ranges from 1.2 to 2.0 mg per day, depending on age and gender as well as other factors, such as pregnancy, breastfeeding, and illnesses. The upper safe limit, or maximum daily intake, is set at 100mg for adults.

High doses of vitamin B6 can be toxic, especially when taken over time.  Too much B6 can cause sensory neuropathy, with pain and other symptoms similar to those of carpal tunnel syndrome. Although problems may slowly resolve after stopping or lowering the B6 intake, permanent nerve damage is possible.

3. Higher Pain Threshold Delays Proper Treatment

Vitamin B6 has shown in studies to change pain thresholds. If you take B6 as a carpal tunnel syndrome treatment, and it raises your pain threshold, you might think your CTS is improving and delay proper treatment.

While some home remedies can temporarily ease carpal tunnel pain, if you experience symptoms lasting more than 8 weeks or that increase in intensity, consult a hand specialist.

 

Wartenberg Syndrome – What is It & How is It Treated?

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Wartenberg’s Syndrome (cheiralgia paresthetica) is one of many different types of nerve compression syndromes, much less common than the widely recognized carpal tunnel syndrome. In cases of Wartenberg’s Syndrome, first described in 1932 by the prestigious American neurologist Dr. Robert Wartenberg, the chronic entrapment is of the superficial branch of the radial nerve in the lower forearm. Symptoms include pain and burning or tingling sensation along the dorsum of the distal forearm, thumb, and index finger. The pain can occur even when resting the hand and forearm.

As with other nerve compression syndromes, frequent repetitive motions may result in Wartenberg’s Syndrome.  The most common causes of this syndrome are chronic compression of and direct trauma to the nerve.  Because constriction of the wrist, such as what occurs when wearing a tight wrist watch, cast, or handcuffs, is believed to cause Wartenberg’s Syndrome, the condition is sometimes referred to as handcuff neuropathy.

Treatment of Wartenberg’s Syndrome

In many cases, the symptoms of Wartenberg’s Syndrome are relieved after removing what causes a compression of the nerve. Therefore, if you experience symptoms and wear a tight wristwatch or other band around your wrist, remove it.

If conditions do not improve, a hand surgeon can perform a surgical release of the nerve with a small incision. The highly skilled hand doctors at Brown Hand Center can perform this minimally invasive procedure on an outpatient basis at one of the hand surgery centers in Texas, Arizona, or Nevada.  Find the center nearest you to schedule an appointment for evaluation and treatment.

Webbed Fingers & Syndactyly Surgery

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If your baby was born with webbed fingers, or you were, and you are considering syndactyly surgery, contact the specialists at Brown Hand Center. The highly skilled surgeons repair webbed fingers at our hand surgery centers in Texas, Nevada, and Arizona.

What is Syndactyly?

Syndactyly is defined as a union of two or more digits. It is a birth abnormality in humans, occurring in about 1 in 2500 babies, and marked by the webbing of fingers or toes.

Syndactyly is the most common birth abnormality of the hand, often occurring as a side by side skin joining of the ring and middle fingers. About half of the cases of webbed fingers involve both hands.

Various types of syndactyly occur, with the most frequent being a simple syndactyly, which means only the skin and soft tissues are connected. If bones join together, it is a complex syndactyly. An incomplete syndactyly only involves a joining of part of the fingers. In cases of a complete syndactyly, the fingers are joined all of the way to the top and may include the fingernails.

Some babies are born with complicated syndactyly, which involves additional, missing, or abnormally-shaped bones. This type of syndactyly is usually associated with a syndrome.

What Causes Webbed Fingers?

When a baby’s hands form in the womb, they begin as paddles and then naturally separate with skin forming over each one. In many cases, however, the fingers fail to separate and webbed fingers remain. Syndactyly can be a hereditary abnormality, although often the cause is unknown. Nearly twice as many male babies are born with syndactyly than female.

Syndactyly Surgery

Surgery is the only way to separate webbed fingers. The timing of syndactyly surgery will depend on many factors, including the health of the baby and degree of the syndactyly. A delayed webbed finger surgery can result in further deformity, so it is best to consult a hand specialist as soon as possible.

If you would like more information about webbed fingers and your options for syndactyly surgery, please contact one of the surgeons at Brown Hand Center nearest you.

 

Treating Carpal Tunnel Syndrome During Pregnancy

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Expectant mothers often report symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome during pregnancy.  The symptoms can develop, especially during the third trimester, as a result of normal edema that occurs in the mother’s body. The swelling puts pressure on the median nerve because the carpal tunnel is unable to stretch. This pressure causes CTS symptoms, which can include hand pain, tingling and numbness in the fingers, forearm aching that may radiate to the shoulder or back, and loss of hand strength.

Because the symptoms could go away after pregnancy, specialists usually do not recommend carpal tunnel surgery. However, if the symptoms are severe or persist after pregnancy, you should see a hand doctor. If left untreated, permanent nerve damage can occur.

Relief for Carpal Tunnel during Pregnancy

There are a few things you can do to help bring relief from carpal tunnel symptoms while you are pregnant. One is to reduce the amount of swelling in your body. The American Pregnancy Association offers tips here.

Resting your hands can bring relief from carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms. Take frequent breaks from repetitive motions, such as using a computer and stretch before, during, and after the repetitive tasks. Wearing a wrist splint at night can also help.

If you need medication for pain, talk to your obstetrician or a hand doctor. Some studies suggest non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, can be harmful when taken during pregnancy.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with a specialist at Brown Hand Center, please contact the hand center location nearest you.

For Wrist & Hand Pain Sports Injuries, See a Hand Specialist

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Athletes suffering wrist and hand pain from sports injuries may be inclined to see their general physicians for treatment. While some sports injuries can be minor, others may be more serious than they seem and not all physicians will accurately diagnosis the injuries.

To provide the best treatment for what is causing your wrist or hand pain, you need a proper diagnosis by an orthopedic hand specialist. Otherwise, you could suffer with pain for months before finally referred to a hand specialist. By that time, further injury may have occurred.

Common Sports Injuries Causing Wrist & Hand Pain

Some of the most common sports injuries come from falling on an outstretched hand, which many people call FOOSH injuries. A dislocation or a fracture-dislocation is possible. The athlete may suffer one or more different types of fractures, including a scaphoid, distal radius, and lunate fracture. Nerve compression can also occur as a result of the injury.

Scaphoid Fracture Difficult to Diagnose

If you fall on an outstretched hand, but can still move it and the pain is not severe, you may think no bones are broken. However, you could have a scaphoid fracture. The scaphoid, a small bone in the wrist, is the bone most likely to break, and you may not even realize it is broken. A general physician could easily diagnosis the injury as a wrist sprain. Doing so can lead to continued problems. Without proper treatment, a scaphoid fracture can eventually cause severe arthritis and the need for joint replacement.

Brown Hand Center Treats Wrist & Hand Pain Sports Injuries

The initial treatment you receive for a wrist or hand sports injury is too important not to see a specialist. Hand doctors at Brown Hand Center are highly trained and skilled in the diagnosis and treatment of wrist and hand pain, including those from sports injuries. If you need emergency treatment, you can call the center at any time, 24 hours a day. Be sure to tell the receptionist you need emergency treatment so you can be seen right away.

 

Radial Tunnel Syndrome: Get a Proper Diagnosis for Faster Recovery

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Experiencing weakness in your hand and forearm pain? If so, your first thought may be carpal tunnel syndrome, since it is a very common hand and arm problem. However, if the pain is a few inches below your elbow, and you feel pain more when bending your wrist backwards or gripping with a straight elbow, radial tunnel syndrome may actually be the cause.

Like cubital and carpal tunnel, radial tunnel syndrome is a nerve compression syndrome. But unlike those more common syndromes, this condition involves pressure placed on the radial nerve. Compression occurs where the nerve passes through a tunnel in the elbow area at the top of the forearm before moving from the upper arm to the hand and wrist. Injury and repetitive motions, such as forceful pushing and pulling or twisting the forearm, can result in radial tunnel syndrome.

Symptoms are very similar to tennis elbow, so much so that the condition could easily be diagnosed as such. When the condition is resistant to treatment, further diagnosis may reveal radial tunnel syndrome.

Faster recovery requires a proper diagnosis and treatment. The highly trained, skilled, and experienced hand doctors at Brown Hand Center diagnose and treat all hand and arm conditions, including radial tunnel syndrome. If you are suffering with hand weakness and arm pain, contact the office nearest you to schedule an appointment.