Faster Recovery, Less Pain: Minimally Invasive Hand & Wrist Surgery
Most of us take our hands and wrists for granted – until they are injured or succumb to disease. Then we realize just how much we rely on both of our hands for everything we do.
Hand and wrist conditions can significantly impact our daily lives, affecting dexterity, mobility, and overall functionality. Everything from using our phones & computers, to jotting a quick note, changing the TV channel, driving, brushing our teeth, or just opening a jar rely on our hands.
Traditional surgical approaches for hand ailments often previously involved large incisions, lengthy recoveries, and potential complications. However, recent advancements in minimally invasive techniques have revolutionized hand and wrist surgery, offering patients faster recovery, reduced scarring, and improved outcomes.
In this article, Detroit area board certified hand surgeon Dr. Uzma Rehman explains the specifics of these new, cutting-edge minimally invasive procedures, explaining their benefits and highlighting the latest advancements in the field.
Understanding Minimally Invasive Hand & Wrist Surgery
Minimally invasive techniques, also known as laparoscopic or arthroscopic procedures, involve the surgeons use of specialized instruments and small incisions to access and treat hand and wrist conditions. Instead of making large open incisions, surgeons utilize tiny cameras and surgical instruments that can be inserted through small portals, allowing for precise visualization and manipulation of the injured or diseased hand.
Benefits of Minimally Invasive Hand & Wrist Surgery
There are so many benefits to considering minimally invasive hand and wrist surgery, over traditional “open” surgery
To begin with, minimally invasive surgery techniques involve making small incisions, typically less than one centimeter in length. This results in minimal scarring and reduces the risk of wound complications.
Compared to traditional open surgeries, minimally invasive approaches generally result in less blood loss during the procedure, minimizing the need for transfusions.
And patients undergoing minimally invasive hand and wrist surgery typically experience significantly shorter hospital stays and faster overall recovery times. In many cases patients can even go home the same or next day after minimally invasive hand and wrist surgery. And a quicker recovery means that patients can return to daily activities and work sooner.
Additionally, with smaller incisions, the risk of postoperative infections is greatly reduced. And the need for post-operative pain meds is also substantially reduced. In fact, many minimally invasive hand and wrist surgery patients do not require narcotics at all after their procedure.
Minimally Invasive Hand & Wrist Surgeries
Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Release
Carpal tunnel syndrome, a common condition causing numbness and pain in the hand, can now be treated with a minimally endoscopic approach. This technique involves the use of a small camera and specialized instruments to release the compressed median nerve, relieving symptoms and restoring hand function.
Arthroscopic Wrist Surgery
Arthroscopy, commonly used in joint surgeries, has been adapted for wrist conditions such as ligament injuries, cartilage damage, and ganglion cysts. The hand surgeon insert a tiny camera into the wrist joint, enabling them to visualize and repair the problem without the need for larger incisions.
Percutaneous Trigger Finger Release
Trigger finger, characterized by a finger that locks or catches during movement, can now be treated through a percutaneous release technique. Using a needle-like instrument, the hand surgeon releases the constricted tendon sheath, alleviating the triggering and improving finger movement.
Percutaneous Fracture Fixation
Certain hand and wrist fractures can also now be treated with percutaneous techniques, where small pins or screws are inserted through the skin, guided by X-ray imaging, to stabilize the fracture. This minimally invasive approach reduces soft tissue damage and promotes faster healing.
Needle Aponeurotomy for Dupuytren’s Contracture
Dupuytren’s contracture, characterized by the tightening of hand tissues, can be treated with needle aponeurotomy. This technique involves inserting a needle into the affected cords, disrupting the fibrous tissue, and restoring hand function – without the need for incisions.
Minimally Invasive Hand & Wrist Surgery | Detroit Area
The development of minimally invasive hand and wrist surgery techniques has transformed the landscape of hand and wrist surgery, offering patients safer, more effective, and faster recovery options. Board certified Detroit area hand surgeon Dr. Uzma Rehman is proud to offer her patients better surgical outcomes and improved recovery experiences with the latest and most advanced, minimally invasive hand and wrist surgery techniques.
