Hand surgery is the field of medicine that deals with problems of the hand, wrist and forearm. Hand surgeons care for these problems without surgery, and they are specially trained to operate when necessary. ... Hand surgeons are orthopedic, plastic or general surgeons who have additional training in surgery of the hand.
A qualified hand specialist is trained to diagnose and treat all problems related to these different structures in the hand, wrist, and forearm.
The hand is a unique area of the human body that is made up of bone, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles, nerves, skin, and blood vessels. These elements must all be in good working order for the hand to function well.
The relationship between all these structures is delicate and refined. An injury or disease can affect any or all of these structures and impair the use of the hand.
Traumatic injury is a term which refers to physical injuries of sudden onset and severity which require immediate medical attention. The insult may cause systemic shock called “shock trauma”, and may require immediate resuscitation and interventions to save life and limb.
Other problems treated can include arthritis, nerve and tendon injuries, and congenital limb differences (birth defects).
Not all problems treated by a hand specialist need surgery. They often recommend non-surgical treatments, such as medication, splints, therapy, or injections.
If you have pain in your fingers, hand, wrist or arm, or if you have other upper-extremity related concerns, you may want to consult a hand specialist
