Hand Tendon And Ligament Repair Surgery

Hand tendon repair surgery is done to restore the function of the hand and correct the damaged tendons. When a tendon is injured or torn, it can significantly impact your hand function, leading to weakness, limited range of motion, and pain.

Hand tendon repair surgery involves the following steps:

Evaluation: Before surgery, Dr. Pournaras will assess the extent and location of the tendon injury through physical examination and imaging studies such as MRI or ultrasound.

Anesthesia: The surgery is performed under local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia to ensure your comfort during the procedure.

Incision: Dr. Pournaras will make an incision over the injured tendon, exposing the damaged area.

Repair: The torn or injured tendon is then repaired using various techniques depending on the nature and severity of the injury. This may involve suturing the torn ends of the tendon together (primary repair) or using grafts or other tissue substitutes to bridge the gap if the tendon ends cannot be directly reattached. The goal is to restore continuity and strength to the tendon.

Closure: Once the repair is completed, the incision is closed with sutures or surgical staples.

Postoperative Care: After surgery, the hand is typically immobilized with a splint or cast to protect the repaired tendon as it heals. Physical therapy and rehabilitation exercises are often prescribed to gradually restore strength, flexibility, and function to the hand. The rehabilitation process may involve a gradual progression of exercises to prevent stiffness and promote optimal healing of the repaired tendon.

Recovery from hand tendon repair surgery can vary depending on the extent of the injury and the patient’s overall health. It may take several weeks to months for full recovery, during which time the patient may need to avoid certain activities. Most patients experience significant improvement in hand function and pain relief following surgery.

Hand ligament repair surgery is done to repair damaged or torn ligaments in your hand. When a ligament is injured or torn, it can lead to instability, weakness, and pain in the affected joint.

1. Evaluation: Before surgery, Dr. Pournaras will assess the extent and location of the ligament injury through a physical examination and imaging studies such as X-rays, MRI, or ultrasound.
2. Anesthesia: This surgery is performed under regional or general anesthesia to ensure your comfort.
3. Incision: Dr. Pournaras will make an incision over the affected joint to access the damaged ligament.
4. Repair: The torn or injured ligament is then repaired using various techniques depending on the nature and severity of the injury. This may involve reattaching the torn ends of the ligament using sutures or reconstructing the ligament using grafts or other tissue substitutes if the ligament is severely damaged. The goal is to restore stability and function to the joint.
5. Closure: Once the repair is completed, the incision is closed with sutures or surgical staples.
6. Postoperative Care: After surgery, the hand is typically immobilized with a splint or cast to protect the repaired ligament as it heals. Physical therapy and rehabilitation exercises are often prescribed to gradually restore strength, flexibility, and function to the hand. The rehabilitation process may involve a gradual progression of exercises to prevent stiffness and promote optimal healing of the repaired ligament.

Recovery from hand ligament repair surgery can vary depending on the extent of the injury and your overall health. It may take several weeks to months to recover, during which time you may need to avoid certain activities. Most patients experience significant improvement in hand stability and function following surgery.

Tears in hand tendons and ligaments can result from a variety of injuries, including:

1. Trauma: Direct trauma to the hand, such as from a fall, crush injury, or impact during sports, can cause tears in tendons and ligaments. This may occur due to sudden stretching, twisting, or forceful hand bending.

2. Lacerations: Cuts or lacerations to the hand can damage tendons and ligaments if deep enough to reach these structures. Sharp objects or machinery accidents are common causes of hand lacerations.

3. Repetitive Stress: Overuse or repetitive movements of the hand and wrist can lead to chronic stress and strain on tendons and ligaments, increasing the risk of tears over time. This is common in activities or occupations that involve repetitive gripping, twisting, or bending motions, such as typing, playing musical instruments, or manual labor.

4. Sports Injuries: Participation in sports activities, particularly those that involve throwing, catching, gripping, or contact with equipment or opponents, can increase the risk of tendon and ligament injuries in the hand. Examples include baseball, basketball, football, and rock climbing.

5. Degenerative Changes: With age, tendons and ligaments in the hand may undergo degenerative changes, becoming weaker and more susceptible to injury. Conditions such as arthritis or tendonitis can contribute to the development of tears in these structures.

6. Rheumatoid Arthritis: Inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis can cause inflammation and weakening of tendons and ligaments in the hand, leading to tears and instability.

7. Tendon Dislocation: Dislocation of tendons from their normal position can occur due to trauma or sudden force, leading to tears or avulsions where the tendon attaches to the bone.

8. Fractures: Fractures of the bones in the hand can sometimes involve associated injuries to the surrounding tendons and ligaments, particularly if the fracture extends into the joint or affects the attachment sites of these structures.

These injuries can vary in severity, with some causing partial tears or strains while others result in complete tears.

Prompt evaluation and treatment by Dr. Pournaras and his medical staff are essential to prevent complications and achieve the best outcome for hand, tendon, and ligament injuries.

Recovery from hand tendon and ligament surgery can vary greatly depending on the specific procedure performed, the extent of the injury, and your health and response to surgery. Here are some general guidelines and stages you might expect during your recovery:

Immediate Postoperative Care

• Pain Management: You will likely experience some pain after surgery, which can be managed with medications prescribed by Dr. Pournaras.
• Splinting or Casting: Your hand may be immobilized with a splint or cast to protect the repaired tendons and ligaments.
• Elevation: Elevating your hand above your heart can help reduce swelling and pain.
• Early Rehabilitation

• Physical Therapy: After a period of immobilization, physical therapy usually begins. It’s crucial for regaining strength and flexibility but will be tailored not to strain the healing tissues.

• Gentle Range-of-Motion Exercises Initially, exercises are gentle and aim to slowly increase mobility without compromising the surgical repair.

• Progressive Strengthening

• Increased Exercise Intensity: As healing progresses, the intensity of exercises can increase under the guidance of our physical therapist.

• Gradual Return to Activities: You’ll gradually be allowed to resume more strenuous activities as strength and flexibility improve.
• Long-Term Recovery and Rehabilitation

• Continued Physical Therapy: Therapy may continue for several months depending on the surgery’s complexity and the desired level of function.
• Follow-Up Care: Regular check-ups with Dr. Pournaras or our hand-hand therapist, who will monitor your recovery and address any complications.

Factors Influencing Recovery

• Type of Surgery: Different procedures have different recovery timelines and challenges.
• Patient Compliance: Following Dr. Pournaras and our physical therapist’s instructions closely can increase your recovery speed and give you the best outcome.
• Overall Health: Pre-existing conditions, such as diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis, can affect healing times.

Tips for a Smooth Recovery

• Adhere to Post-Op Instructions: Follow all post-operative care instructions provided by Dr. Pournaras.
• Stay Active Within Limits: Engage in approved activities to promote circulation and healing, but don’t overdo it.
• Healthy Lifestyle: A healthy diet, adequate rest, and avoiding smoking can facilitate a quicker recovery.

When to Seek Help

• Signs of Infection: Fever, increased redness, or discharge from the incision site.
• Severe Pain: Unmanageable pain or pain that significantly worsens can indicate complications.
• Lack of Progress: If you’re not seeing improvement over time, discuss this with Dr. Pournaras.

Recovery times can vary widely; some patients may recover in a few weeks, while others may take several months. Maintaining realistic expectations and communicating regularly with Dr. Pournaras and our medical staff is essential.