Hand · Fingers · Thumb · Tendons
Hand Surgery
The hand concentrates an extraordinary amount of function into a small space — bones, joints, tendons, ligaments, nerves and blood vessels all working in concert. Hand surgery addresses problems in any of those structures, with the goal of restoring movement, sensation and grip.
(623) 264-3300What Hand Surgery Addresses
Nerves
Compression, laceration and injury affecting feeling and muscle function
Tendons
Cuts, ruptures and the catching or locking of a flexor tendon
Joints
Arthritis at the thumb base, knuckles and wrist
Ligaments
Instability and ligament injuries of the fingers and wrist
Bones
Fractures of the fingers, hand and wrist
Soft Tissue
Dupuytren's contracture, cysts and scar tissue
The Decision
When Is Hand Surgery the Right Answer?
Most hand and wrist problems are not surgical problems. The large majority improve with splinting, therapy, medication, activity changes or an injection. Surgery is reserved for the situations where those approaches have not been enough, or where the nature of the injury makes waiting unwise.
Dr. Amin works closely with each patient to understand their symptoms, lifestyle and goals before developing an individualized treatment strategy. Whenever appropriate, conservative and non-surgical options are explored before surgery is considered.
A Note on Timing
Some injuries — a divided tendon, an open fracture, a nerve that has been cut — do better with prompt treatment. Others can be watched safely for a period of time. Knowing which situation you are in is exactly what an evaluation establishes.
Symptoms Persist Despite Good Non-Operative Care
Splinting, therapy, activity modification and injections resolve many hand problems. When they do not, surgery becomes a reasonable conversation.
A Structure Is Torn or Divided
A cut tendon, a ruptured ligament or a nerve that has been divided rarely heals on its own and usually needs timely repair.
There Is Progressive Weakness or Wasting
A nerve that stays compressed can cause muscle wasting that does not recover once it is advanced. Earlier intervention is often better.
Function Is Being Lost
When a finger can no longer straighten, a thumb can no longer pinch, or grip keeps failing, restoring function becomes the priority.
Procedures
Hand Procedures Performed
Each of these procedures targets a specific structure and a specific problem. Where a condition page exists, it explains the diagnosis in more detail.
Carpal Tunnel Release
Dividing the transverse carpal ligament to relieve pressure on the median nerve at the wrist.
Learn about the conditionTrigger Finger Release
Opening the pulley that the flexor tendon catches on, allowing the finger to glide and straighten smoothly.
Learn about the conditionLRTI for Thumb Base Arthritis
Ligament Reconstruction and Tendon Interposition — rebuilding the cushion at the base of the thumb joint.
Learn about the conditionDupuytren's Fasciectomy
Removal of the thickened cord of tissue that is pulling one or more fingers into a bent position.
Learn about the conditionTendon Repair
Reconnecting a divided or damaged tendon so that movement and grip can be restored.
Learn about the conditionTendon Transfer
Rerouting a working tendon to take over the job of one that can no longer function.
Ganglion & Mucous Cyst Excision
Removing a fluid-filled cyst along with its stalk to reduce the chance of recurrence.
Learn about the conditionFinger Joint Arthroplasty
Replacing or resurfacing a worn finger joint when arthritis pain no longer responds to other treatment.
Learn about the conditionNot sure which procedure applies to you? The diagnosis comes first — the procedure follows from it.
The First Weeks After Surgery
Protection
A splint or dressing protects the repair while early healing takes place. Keeping it dry and in place matters more than most patients expect.
Controlled Motion
Gentle movement is usually introduced on a specific schedule. Moving too little causes stiffness; moving too much can threaten a repair.
Strengthening
Once healing is secure, grip and pinch strength are rebuilt progressively. This is where hand therapy makes the biggest difference.
Return to Activity
Driving, work and sport each have their own timeline. Your surgeon will give you specifics rather than a general estimate.
Recovery
What Recovery Actually Looks Like
Recovery from hand surgery is rarely a straight line. There is a phase where the repair is protected, a phase where motion returns, and a phase where strength is rebuilt. Understanding which phase you are in makes the process far less frustrating.
Hand therapy is often the difference between a good result and a great one. Many procedures are paired with a therapy program that begins at a specific point in the healing process and is tailored to what you need to get back to doing.
Risks & Benefits
Outcomes after surgery vary, and risks and benefits should be discussed in detail with your treating physician. Non-operative treatment also carries risks and benefits which should be discussed with your treating physician.
Common Questions
Hand Surgery FAQs
What is hand surgery?+
Hand surgery is a subspecialty of orthopedic and plastic surgery focused on the hand, wrist and forearm. It includes the bones, joints, tendons, ligaments, nerves, blood vessels and skin of the upper extremity. A hand surgeon is trained to treat all of these structures, which is why a single specialist can address a wide range of problems.
Will I be asleep for hand surgery?+
Not necessarily. Many hand and wrist procedures are performed with regional or local anesthesia, sometimes with light sedation, so you may be awake but comfortable. The choice of anesthesia depends on the procedure and your medical history and is discussed before surgery.
How much pain is there after hand surgery?+
Discomfort varies considerably by procedure. Most patients manage post-operative pain with oral medication, and many describe it as less than they expected. Your surgeon will give you a specific plan for managing pain and when to call if something seems wrong.
Will I need therapy afterwards?+
Often, yes. Hand therapy plays a major role in recovering motion, strength and coordination after many procedures. Therapy may begin shortly after surgery or after a period of protected healing, depending on what was done.
How long until I can use my hand normally?+
It depends on the procedure. Some patients return to light daily activities within days, while tendon repairs and joint reconstruction require several weeks of protected healing before progressive use. Your surgeon will give you a specific timeline for your situation.
Are there risks to hand surgery?+
Any surgery carries risks, including infection, bleeding, stiffness, scarring, injury to nearby structures, and the possibility that the outcome does not fully meet expectations. Non-operative treatment also carries risks and benefits. These should be discussed in detail with your treating physician.
Have Your Hand Evaluated
If pain, numbness, weakness or loss of motion in your hand is limiting what you can do, an evaluation is the first step toward a clear answer.