Our hands are essential to nearly everything we do, typing, driving, cooking, and caring for ourselves and others. When hand pain, stiffness, or weakness begins to limit daily function, it may signal an underlying condition that requires more than conservative treatment. Here are some conditions when hand surgery becomes the best option for lasting recovery.
Nerve Compression Syndromes Requiring Surgical Intervention
One of the most common reasons for hand surgery is nerve compression syndromes. Carpal tunnel syndrome, for instance, occurs when swelling in the wrist compresses the median nerve, causing numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hand. When conservative measures fail to relieve these symptoms, carpal tunnel release surgery is often recommended to relieve pressure and restore function. Similarly, cubital tunnel syndrome affecting the ulnar nerve at the elbow may also require surgical intervention if pain and numbness persist.
Tendon Injuries and Disorders Treated by Hand Surgery
Trigger finger happens when the flexor tendon becomes inflamed or thickened, causing the finger to catch or lock in a bent position. If splints or corticosteroid injections fail to help, surgery may be needed to release the constricted sheath and allow the tendon to glide smoothly again. Similar procedures can be performed for other tendon issues that cause stiffness or pain.
Managing Severe Arthritis of the Hand with Surgical Solutions
Hand arthritis, especially at the base of the thumb or small finger joints, can make gripping or pinching painful. While medication and therapy can manage early symptoms, severe arthritis that causes joint deformity or limits motion may benefit from surgical options such as joint fusion or replacement. These procedures can reduce pain and restore strength for improved hand use.
Fractures and Traumatic Injuries
Complex hand fractures, tendon lacerations, or ligament tears may not heal properly without surgical repair. Delayed or incomplete healing can result in stiffness, deformity, or weakness. Surgical stabilization using pins, plates, or sutures helps ensure proper alignment and recovery, allowing patients to regain full movement and function.
Correcting Hand Deformities Through Surgery
Some hand deformities and overgrowths may also require surgery. Dupuytren’s contracture, involving thickened tissue in the palm that causes finger curling, may require removal or release of the fibrous cords to regain finger mobility. Bone spurs and ganglion cysts around the wrist or hand that cause pain or restrict movement can be excised surgically.
Ultimately, hand surgery is recommended when symptoms significantly impact quality of life, deformity is present, conservative treatments have failed, or traumatic injuries require repair. Advances in minimally invasive techniques such as arthroscopy allow for smaller incisions, less tissue damage, and faster recovery, making surgery safer and more effective.
If you experience persistent hand pain, numbness, or stiffness that affects your ability to work or perform daily tasks, Dr. DiPaolo can evaluate your condition and recommend the right treatment, surgical or nonsurgical.
AUTHOR: Daneca DiPaolo, MD, FACS, is a highly-skilled, board-certified orthopedic surgeon located in Grenada, Mississippi. She offers the latest orthopedic techniques and provides quality, compassionate, state-of-the-art orthopedic care.
