Hand and Wrist Surgery Information Booklet

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Hand and Wrist Surgery Information Booklet Surgery Hand and wrist surgery Hand and wrist surgery This booklet provides information and answers to your questions about these surgical procedures. Arthritis Research UK produce and print our booklets entirely from charitable donations. What is hand and wrist surgery? For most people with arthritis- related problems in the hands or wrists, surgery is unnecessary. But if you’re facing hand or wrist surgery you’ll probably have lots of questions on your mind. In this booklet we’ll explain when surgery might be needed and what you can expect from the process. We’ll also look at what happens before and after surgery and suggest where you can find out more. At the back of this booklet you’ll find a brief glossary of medical words – we’ve underlined these when they’re first used. www.arthritisresearchuk.org Page 2 of 24 Hand and wrist surgery information booklet What’s inside? 2 Hand and wrist surgery 13 How should I prepare at a glance for surgery? 4 How the do the hands and – Pre-admission clinic wrists work? 14 What will my recovery involve? 5 Do I need surgery? – After the operation – Getting back to normal 6 What are the possible advantages of hand and 14 What are the possible wrist surgery? complications of hand and wrist surgery? 6 What are the possible disadvantages of hand 15 Research and new and wrist surgery? developments 6 What are the common types 16 Glossary of hand and wrist surgery? 17 Where can I find out more? – Carpal tunnel release 20 We ’re here to help – Dupuytren’s contracture fasciectomy – Trigger finger release – Tendon repair – Ganglion removal – Knuckle (MCP joint) replacement – Thumb joint surgery – Wrist joint surgery Page 3 of 24 Hand and wrist surgery information booklet At a glance Hand and wrist surgery Surgery isn’t often needed for people with arthritis, but it can help ease pain and improve hand Do I need surgery? function. Most people with arthritis-related problems in their hands or wrists don’t need surgery. The decision whether to operate will be based on: • how bad your symptoms are (pain or loss of hand function) • your needs • your response to other treatments. What are the possible advantages? The advantages of having surgery can What are the common types include: of hand and wrist surgery? • less pain The following operations can help with hand or wrist problems: • improved hand function • carpal tunnel release • improved appearance of hands. • Dupuytren’s contracture fasciectomy • trigger finger release What are the possible disadvantages? • tendon repair • ganglion removal The disadvantages of having surgery can include: • knuckle (MCP joint) replacement • reduced joint movement, depending on • thumb joint surgery the operation • wrist joint surgery • replacement joints wearing down more • wrist fusion quickly than natural joints • wrist joint replacement. • possible complications. Page 4 of 24 Hand and wrist surgery information booklet What are the possible complications? Every possible care is taken to prevent complications, but in a few cases these do happen. They may include: • infections • stiffness • haematoma (bleeding) • reduced function. Page 5 of 24 Hand and wrist surgery information booklet How do the hands and The normal structure of the hand and wrists work? wrist is shown in Figure 1. Our hands play a very important part The movement and power are in everyday activities, and if we’re to lead controlled by muscles and tendons in the an active, independent life the joints in hand and forearm: our hands need to work properly. We also • The flexor group, on the inside or front care about how our hands look because of the arm, control bending of the they’re always on view and we use them fingers and wrist – these pass over the to help us communicate when we meet front of the wrist and are held in place by and talk to people. a strong fibrous band called the flexor retinaculum, or carpal tunnel ligament. This booklet describes how the hands and wrists work, the common musculoskeletal • The extensors on the outside or back of and arthritis-related problems that occur, the forearm allow the hand to open up. the type of surgery carried out to treat these conditions and what you should expect if you need an operation. Figure 1 The normal structure of the hand and wrist (palm view) Flexor Lumbricals tendons The normal Carpal structure of the tunnel hand and wrist, ligament showing the position of the Flexor Ulnar artery nerves, arteries tendons Ulnar nerve and tendons Radial Median nerve artery Page 6 of 24 Hand and wrist surgery information booklet • Small muscles in the hand itself Do I need surgery? (the lumbricals and interossei) allow For most people with musculoskeletal fine movement. and arthritis-related problems in their The tendons in the hand are covered by hands or wrists, surgery is unnecessary. a layer of synovium, the same tissue that The decision whether to operate will lines the joints. The tendon and synovium depend on a number of factors: are covered by a tendon sheath, which is • how bad your symptoms are (pain or a bit like the protective covering on the loss of hand function) brake cable of a bicycle. • your needs The sense of touch in the hand is supplied by two main nerves, the median or carpal • your response to other treatments, tunnel nerve and the ulnar or ‘funny including drugs, splinting and exercise. bone’ nerve. The median nerve passes Surgery is rarely carried out to improve under the carpal tunnel ligament and the look of the hands, although an gives feeling to most of the hand (from improvement in their appearance may the thumb to half of the ring finger). It be a welcome side-effect. also provides power to muscles at the base of the thumb. The ulnar nerve gives You may feel nervous, stressed feeling to the little finger and half the ring or scared if you’ve been told you finger, and it powers all of the other small need surgery. Finding out as much muscles in the hand. as you can about the operation and understanding the process There are also two arteries (radial and will help you feel calmer and more ulnar) that supply blood to the hand. You in control. can feel these on the palm-side of your wrist. The radial artery (nearer the thumb) is often felt to take your pulse. The ulnar artery on the opposite side of the wrist is much more difficult to feel. Understanding what’s involved in your operation will help you feel more relaxed and in control of your treatments. Page 7 of 24 Hand and wrist surgery information booklet What are the possible What are the common advantages of hand types of hand and wrist and wrist surgery? surgery? The main advantages of hand and Surgery can help with a number of hand wrist surgery can be: and wrist conditions: • long-lasting pain relief Carpal tunnel release • better hand function Carpal tunnel syndrome happens when • better-looking hands (although pressure is put on the median nerve as it this isn’t always the case, depending passes through the wrist under the carpal on the procedure). tunnel ligament (see Figure 1). This causes pins and needles and numbness in the fingers. Surgery is sometimes needed to What are the possible ease pressure on the nerve. disadvantages of hand and wrist surgery? There can be some disadvantages to hand and wrist surgery: • Replacement joints, for example new knuckle joints, aren’t as hard-wearing or long-lasting as natural joints. • Scars are unavoidable at the site of the cut (incision). • Some operations reduce joint movement. • There are possible complications of surgery, for example swelling, stiffness or infection. • Occasionally small nerves around the incision can be damaged, leading to patches of numbness. Page 8 of 24 Hand and wrist surgery information booklet In the operation, the surgeon is able to of the hand. You may need surgery to ease the pressure by splitting the carpal remove the tissue and release the fingers, tunnel ligament. This is often done under although it’s not always possible to make local anaesthetic, where only your arm this completely better. is made numb, which means that you The operation is generally performed probably won’t need to stay in hospital as a day case, so you won’t need to stay overnight. Following the operation you in hospital. It’ll take two to three weeks may need to wear a bulky bandage on for the skin to heal and up to 12 weeks your wrist and hand for a week or two. before you have full use of your hand. Stitches are removed after 10–14 days. You’ll be seen by a hand therapist who During this time you’ll be able to use your will start you on exercises and monitor fingers and thumb, although you should your movement and function. A night avoid heavy tasks. extension splint may be made for you, It’s important that you move your fingers although this won’t always be needed. to reduce swelling and to prevent the nerve and tendons becoming caught up Trigger finger release in the scar tissue which may form after the If you have trigger finger, the affected operation. You should recover from the finger can often bend normally but effects of surgery in less than a month, becomes stuck in a curled position. This although it may take longer to get all the is caused by the tendon which allows the feeling back in your hand, especially if finger to bend becoming thickened, so it you’ve had carpal tunnel syndrome for a becomes stuck in the tunnel where the long time.
Recommended publications
  • UNMH Orthopedic Surgery Clinical Privileges
    UNMH Orthopedic Surgery Clinical Privileges Name: Effective Dates: To: o Initial privileges (initial appointment) o Renewal of privileges (reappointment) o Expansion of privileges (modification) All new applicants must meet the following requirements as approved by the UNMH Board of Trustees effective: 05/30/2014 INSTRUCTIONS Applicant: Check off the "Requested" box for each privilege requested. Applicants have the burden of producing information deemed adequate by the Hospital for a proper evaluation of current competence, current clinical activity, and other qualifications and for resolving any doubts related to qualifications for requested privileges. Department Chair: Check the appropriate box for recommendation on the last page of this form. If recommended with conditions or not recommended, provide condition or explanation on the last page of this form. OTHER REQUIREMENTS 1. Note that privileges granted may only be exercised at UNM Hospitals and clinics that have the appropriate equipment, license, beds, staff, and other support required to provide the services defined in this document. Site-specific services may be defined in hospital or department policy. 2. This document defines qualifications to exercise clinical privileges. The applicant must also adhere to any additional organizational, regulatory, or accreditation requirements that the organization is obligated to meet. Qualifications for Orthopedic Surgery Practice Area Code: 42 Version Code: 05-2014a Initial Applicant - To be eligible to apply for privileges in orthopedic
    [Show full text]
  • 06-1733 ) Issued: October 17, 2006 DEPARTMENT of the NAVY, MARINE ) CORPS, Camp Lejeune, NC, Employer ) ______)
    United States Department of Labor Employees’ Compensation Appeals Board __________________________________________ ) L.S., Appellant ) ) and ) Docket No. 06-1733 ) Issued: October 17, 2006 DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY, MARINE ) CORPS, Camp LeJeune, NC, Employer ) __________________________________________ ) Appearances: Case Submitted on the Record Appellant, pro se Office of Solicitor, for the Director DECISION AND ORDER Before: ALEC J. KOROMILAS, Chief Judge MICHAEL E. GROOM, Alternate Judge JAMES A. HAYNES, Alternate Judge JURISDICTION On July 24, 2006 appellant filed a timely appeal from the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs’ June 9, 2006 merit decision terminating her compensation. Pursuant to 20 C.F.R. §§ 501.2(c) and 501.3(d)(2), the Board has jurisdiction over the merits of this case. ISSUE The issue is whether the Office met its burden of proof to terminate appellant’s compensation effective June 10, 2006 on the grounds that she no longer had residuals of her employment injury after that date. FACTUAL HISTORY On May 5, 2000 appellant, then a 52-year-old registered dental hygienist, filed an occupational disease claim alleging that she sustained a ganglion cyst on the dorsum of her right wrist due to repeatedly grasping instruments at work. The Office accepted that appellant sustained a ganglion cyst of her right wrist. She stopped work on May 5, 2000 to undergo an excision of the mass of her ganglion cyst and repair of the extensor tendon of the right long finger. The surgery was performed by Dr. Richard S. Bahner, an attending Board-certified orthopedic surgeon, and was authorized by the Office. In July 2000, appellant returned to light-duty work on a full-time basis for the employing establishment.
    [Show full text]
  • POST-OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS for HAND / UPPER EXTREMITY SURGERY Department of Orthopaedics ------After Your Surgery, Follow the Instructions As Checked Below
    POST-OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS FOR HAND / UPPER EXTREMITY SURGERY Department of Orthopaedics --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- After your surgery, follow the instructions as checked below. Instructions following anesthesia or sedation The medicines and/or anesthesia that you received today are strong and will affect your body for at least the next few hours. You may have trouble with coordination or thinking because of these medicines. For your safety, follow these instructions carefully for the next 24 hours: Do not drive at all. You must be taken home today by a responsible adult. Do not drink any alcoholic beverages You should rest today. Do not go to work. You should not do things that require you to think and act quickly. You should not do things that require careful work. For example, avoid cooking, sewing, and operating machinery or electrical appliances. You should not make important decisions or sign legal papers today. The medicines may make you feel drowsy or sick to your stomach. Or you may have a poor appetite. If these problems last longer than 24 hour or if they are severe, call your doctor. Medicines Refer to separate “Patient Medication List” Pain and Prescription Medicine You have been given a prescription for pain medicine. Take it as directed. Do not drive or drink alcohol while you are taking “narcotic” pain medicines. This includes medicine like: Percocet® (oxycodone hydrochloride; acetaminophen), Tylenol #3® (acetaminophen; codeine) and Vicodin® (hydrocodone bitartrate; acetaminophen). Nausea, dizziness and drowsiness are normal side effects of prescribed pain medicine. If you have these symptoms and can not tolerate them, stop taking the medicine.
    [Show full text]
  • Basic Standards for Fellowship Training in Orthopedic Hand Surgery BOT 7/2011, Effective 7/2012 Page 2
    Basic Standards for Fellowship Training in Orthopedic Hand Surgery American Osteopathic Association and American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics TABLE OF CONTENTS Article I: Introduction .................................................................................................. 3 Article II: Mission ........................................................................................................... 3 Article III Educational Program Goals/Core Competencies .................................... 3 Article IV: Institutional Requirements .......................................................................... 3 Article V: Program Requirements and Content .......................................................... 4 Article VI: Program Director / Faculty Qualifications ............................................... 5 Article VII: Fellow Requirements ..................................................................................... 5 Article VIII: Evaluation ....................................................................................................... 5 Basic Standards for Fellowship Training in Orthopedic Hand Surgery BOT 7/2011, Effective 7/2012 Page 2 Basic Standards for Fellowship Training in Orthopedic Hand Surgery This is an amendment to the Basic Standards for Residency Training in Orthopedic Surgery which governs and defines orthopedic surgical training. The Basic Standards are, therefore, incorporated into this document. SECTION I - INTRODUCTION These are the Basic Standards for Fellowship Training in Orthopedic
    [Show full text]
  • Hand Surgery: a Guide for Medical Students
    Hand Surgery: A Guide for Medical Students Trevor Carroll and Margaret Jain MD Table of Contents Trigger Finger 3 Carpal Tunnel Syndrome 13 Basal Joint Arthritis 23 Ganglion Cyst 36 Scaphoid Fracture 43 Cubital Tunnel Syndrome 54 Low Ulnar Nerve Injury 64 Trigger Finger (stenosing tenosynovitis) • Anatomy and Mechanism of Injury • Risk Factors • Symptoms • Physical Exam • Classification • Treatments Trigger Finger: Anatomy and MOI (Thompson and Netter, p191) • The flexor tendons run within the synovial tendinous sheath in the finger • During flexion, the tendons contract, running underneath the pulley system • Overtime, the flexor tendons and/or the A1 pulley can get inflamed during finger flexion. • Occassionally, the flexor tendons and/or the A1 pulley abnormally thicken. This decreases the normal space between these structures necessary for the tendon to smoothly glide • In more severe cases, patients can have their fingers momentarily or permanently locked in flexion usually at the PIP joint (Trigger Finger‐OrthoInfo ) Trigger Finger: Risk Factors • Age: 40‐60 • Female > Male • Repetitive tasks may be related – Computers, machinery • Gout • Rheumatoid arthritis • Diabetes (poor prognostic sign) • Carpal tunnel syndrome (often concurrently) Trigger Finger: Subjective • C/O focal distal palm pain • Pain can radiate proximally in the palm and distally in finger • C/O finger locking, clicking, sticking—often worse during sleep or in the early morning • Sometimes “snapping” during flexion • Can improve throughout the day Trigger Finger:
    [Show full text]
  • Plastic Surgery Essentials for Students Handbook to All Third Year Medical Students Concerned with the Effect of the Outcome on the Entire Patient
    AMERICAN SOCIETY OF PLASTIC SURGEONS YOUNG PLASTIC SURGEONS STEERING COMMITTEE Lynn Jeffers, MD, Chair C. Bob Basu, MD, Vice Chair Eighth Edition 2012 Essentials for Students Workgroup Lynn Jeffers, MD Adam Ravin, MD Sami Khan, MD Chad Tattini, MD Patrick Garvey, MD Hatem Abou-Sayed, MD Raman Mahabir, MD Alexander Spiess, MD Howard Wang, MD Robert Whitfield, MD Andrew Chen, MD Anureet Bajaj, MD Chris Zochowski, MD UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE OF THE PLASTIC SURGERY EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION First Edition 1979 Ruedi P. Gingrass, MD, Chairman Martin C. Robson, MD Lewis W.Thompson, MD John E.Woods, MD Elvin G. Zook, MD Copyright © 2012 by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons 444 East Algonquin Road Arlington Heights, IL 60005 All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America ISBN 978-0-9859672-0-8 i INTRODUCTION PREFACE This book has been written primarily for medical students, with constant attention to the thought, A CAREER IN PLASTIC SURGERY “Is this something a student should know when he or she finishes medical school?” It is not designed to be a comprehensive text, but rather an outline that can be read in the limited time Originally derived from the Greek “plastikos” meaning to mold and reshape, plastic surgery is a available in a burgeoning curriculum. It is designed to be read from beginning to end. Plastic specialty which adapts surgical principles and thought processes to the unique needs of each surgery had its beginning thousands of years ago, when clever surgeons in India reconstructed individual patient by remolding, reshaping and manipulating bone, cartilage and all soft tissues.
    [Show full text]
  • Lengthening by Distraction Osteogenesis in Congenital Shortening of Metacarpals
    ORIGINAL ARTICLE Acta Orthop Traumatol Turc 2013;47(2):79-85 doi:10.3944/AOTT.2013.3080 Lengthening by distraction osteogenesis in congenital shortening of metacarpals Mehmet BULUT1, Bekir Yavuz UÇAR1, ‹brahim AZBOY1, Oktay BELHAN2, Erhan YILMAZ2, Lokman KARAKURT2 1Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Dicle University, Diyarbak›r, Turkey; 2Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, F›rat University, Elaz›¤, Turkey Objective: The aim of this study was to present the results of seven cases of metacarpal lengthening by distraction osteogenesis and to discuss the ideal daily rate of distraction. Methods: Metacarpal lengthening was performed by distraction osteogenesis in the seven metacarpals of four patients (3 females, 1 male; mean age: 14.9 years). A unilateral external fixator was used for length- ening. Lengthening was initiated with a distraction rate of 2×0.5 mm/day in the patient with bilateral involvement of the middle and ring metacarpals. On the tenth day of lengthening, distraction was discon- tinued due to pain and contracture. Then, distraction was continued with a rate of 2×0.25 mm/day. In all other cases, the distraction rate was 0.5 mm/day. Pre- and postoperative range of motion was measured with a goniometer. Patient satisfaction was evaluated with visual analog scale. Results: The mean pre- and postoperative metacarpal lengths were 34.6 mm (range: 33 to 37) and 49.7 mm (range: 47 to 52), respectively. The mean lengthening achieved was 15.1 mm (range: 14 to 17), while the mean distraction rate was 0.55 mm/day (range: 0.48 to 0.63).
    [Show full text]
  • Lasers in Spine Surgery: a Review
    current concepts invited review Lasers in Spine Surgery: A Review Jack Stern, MD, PhD, FACS Introduction White Plains, NY A Google search with the key words “spine surgery” results in a list of individuals and “in- stitutes” emphasizing the use of laser technology. The words “laser” and “spine surgery” top the list of paid sponsors. A review of print media content in New York also reveals this strong association. Printed ads extolling the virtues of superior surgical outcomes with laser surgery have run for many years. The combination of these two words clearly prompts patient interest. The substantial long-term costs of print ads would indicate that they also prompt patient response. The general notion is that laser surgery results in less blood loss, is less invasive and is more ef- fective in treating a variety of spinal conditions, especially herniated discs. This author polled 24 neurosurgeons and orthopedic spine surgeons in the New York City area. Interestingly, while two thirds use minimally invasive techniques, none use laser technology. In the hope of providing some clarity, this review is intended to address: 1. The basic physics of lasers. 2. The general applicability of lasers in surgical practice. 3. The role of lasers in spinal surgery. 4. Review of pertinent literature with emphasis on outcomes. Basic Physics of Lasers Laser is an acronym for light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation. In this case, “light” refers to the ultraviolet (UV) (150 to 400 nm), visible (390 to 700 nm) and infrared (greater than 700 nm) portions of the electromagnetic spectrum produced by “stimulated emission,” a process that imparts the monochromaticity and coherence of laser light.
    [Show full text]
  • Hand Surgery YOUR WREN V
    Focus on COMPLETE CARE FOR Hand Surgery YOUR WREN V. MCCALLISTER, MD APRIL 2009 PATIENTS • General Orthopedics • Fracture care Hand Surgery • Sports Medicine WHY VISIT A HAND problems related to these struc- —Arthritis of the fingers, hand, • Arthroscopy SURGEON? tures in the hand, wrist and el- wrist and elbow bow. • Minimally-invasive The hand is a unique area of the —Hand, wrist or elbow pain surgery Hand surgeons have received human body that is made up of —Work-related injuries to the bone, joints, ligaments, tendons, specialized additional training in • Spine hand, wrist and elbow muscles, nerves, skin and blood the treatment of hand, wrist and • Shoulder & Elbow vessels. These elements must all elbow problems beyond their HOW ARE THESE be in good working order for the board-certified specialty training CONDITIONS TREATED? • Hand & Wrist hand to function well. in orthopedic surgery. © ASSH Not all of the conditions treated • Hip & Knee The relationship between these COMMON CONDITIONS by a hand surgeon need surgery. Many conditions can be managed • Foot & Ankle structures is delicate and refined. TREATED BY HAND SURGEONS nonoperatively with medications, • Total Joint splinting, specialized hand therapy —Carpal tunnel syndrome Reconstruction or injections. —Other compressive neuropa- WHAT TO DO NEXT? • Physical Therapy thies of the extremity (cubital Visit www.AskEdmondsHand.com • Certified Hand tunnel, radial tunnel syndromes) to learn more about conditions Therapists —Lacerations and injury to of the hand, wrist and elbow, ask nerves and tendons • Interventional Pain a question or get help for your Management —Trigger finger patients. —Tennis elbow, Golfer’s elbow Dr. McCallister and his staff are committed to providing EDMONDS Figure 1 —Sport’s injuries of the hand, unparalleled care for your ORTHOPEDIC wrist and elbow patients in a convenient, CENTER (Figure 1) An injury or disease —Fractures of the hand, wrist can affect any or all of these compassionate and professional SURGEONS and elbow structures and impair the use of environment.
    [Show full text]
  • Endoscopic Treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: a Critical Review
    Endoscopic treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome: a critical review David F. Jimenez, M.D., Scott R. Gibbs, M.D., and Adam T. Clapper, B.S. Division of Neurosurgery, University of Missouri Hospital and Clinics, Columbia, Missouri An extensive review of published articles on the subject of endoscopic carpal tunnel release surgery is presented, encompassing six endoscopic techniques used to treat carpal tunnel syndrome. Since the first report in 1987, 7091 patients have undergone 8068 operations. The overall success rate has been 96.52%, with a complication rate of 2.67% and a failure rate of 2.61%. The mean time to return to work in patients not receiving Workers' Compensation was 17.8 days, ranging between 10.8 and 22.3 days. The most common complications were transient paresthesias of the ulnar and median nerves. Other complications included superficial palmar arch injuries, reflex sympathetic dystrophy, flexor tendon lacerations, and incomplete transverse carpal ligament division. All studies in which open and endoscopic techniques were compared reported that patients in the latter group experienced significantly less pain and returned to work and activities of daily living earlier. The reported success and complication rates of endoscopic carpal tunnel release surgery are similar to those for standard open procedures. Endoscopic techniques and outcomes are discussed. Key Words * carpal tunnel * endoscopy * carpal ligament Following the introduction of endoscopic techniques for treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in the late 1980s, significant controversy ensued regarding the efficacy, safety, and success of these procedures. Numerous reports have been published, mostly in the orthopedic and plastic surgery literature, describing modifications to the original procedure as well as results and complications.
    [Show full text]
  • History of the American Association for Hand Surgery, Published in 1995
    American Association for Hand Surgery 500 Cummings Center Ste 4400 Beverly, MA 01915 978 927 8330 | handsurgery.org TABLE OF CONTENTS FOREWARD ................................................................................................................................................... v PREFACE ...................................................................................................................................................... vii DEDICATION ................................................................................................................................................. ix CHAPTER I: The Founding of AAHS ............................................................................................................. 11 CHAPTER II: AAHS, 1995-2020 .................................................................................................................... 13 CHAPTER III: Affiliate Membership ............................................................................................................. 67 CHAPTER IV: Hand Surgery Endowment ..................................................................................................... 69 CHAPTER V: HAND Journal .......................................................................................................................... 71 CHAPTER VI: Hand Association News ......................................................................................................... 75 CHAPTER VII: Central Office .......................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Surgery of the Upper Extremity in Children with Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy
    Article submitted, at the request of CHASA, by Robert Bunata, M.D., Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon. Dr. Bunata has a special interest in upper extremity surgery in children who have hemiplegia. He is in private practice and serves patients at Cook Children’s Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas. Surgery of the Upper Extremity in Children with Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy Contents I – The condition of the hand in CP II – Treatment A. Exercises 1. Passive stretch 2. Strengthening B. Splinting C. Medication D. Surgery 1. Indications 2. Practical matters 3. Types of surgery done (general) 4. Types of surgery done (specific by area) 5. Care after the surgery E. Glossary Children with cerebral palsy and hemiplegia are special members of our family. While they have so much to offer, they often cannot reach their potential because of physical impairments. Limitation of hand function is only one of their problems, but an important one when the use of the hand for work and play and self care is considered. Doing an operation on a hand does not make a normal hand, but with the right indications, done well, and with good rehabilitation surgery can be of significant benefit. A glossary of the medical terms used here is present at the end. I - THE CONDITION OF THE HAND - While there are some exceptions, the usual effect that the brain injury of CP has upon the hand results in a typical positioning and limitation of the hand. The hand is usually held with: the elbow slightly flexed, the forearm held with the palm turned down (pronated), the wrist slightly flexed, and the thumb against the palm (adducted).
    [Show full text]