Hand Surgery.
Trigger Finger Release
Trigger finger is a common disorder of later adulthood characterized by catching, snapping or locking of the finger flexor tendon, leading to loss of use and pain. If surgery is required to release the tendon, a small incision of less than 2cm is made in the skin, and the tight portion of the flexor tendon sheath is released.
Duputren's Release
Dupuytren's contracture is a progressive tightening of the skin on the palm, most commonly affecting the small and ring fingers. Advanced cases will have thickened bands on the palm that pull the fingers into the palm and can require surgery. This involves excision of the band from under the skin so the finger can straighten.
Fusion
Fusion may be suggested when ligament instability is discovered late and there is arthritis in the joints between the unstable bones. Two or more bones are fused by removing the cartilage surface between the bones. When the raw bone surfaces are placed together, the bone treats them as it would a fracture: the surfaces heal together and the bones fuse into one. This stabilizes the motion between the bones and reduces the pain caused when arthritic joint surfaces rub together.
Wrist Ligament Reconstruction
Wrist ligament reconstruction may be required when damage is found a long time after the injury. An incision is made over the wrist joint to locate the torn ligament, then a tendon graft is used to replace the torn ligaments. (The tendon graft is usually borrowed from the palmaris longus tendon of the same wrist as this tendon doesn't do much). The tendon is removed from the underside of the wrist through one or two small incisions, then metal pins are used to hold the bones stationary while the graft heals. The pins are removed six to eight weeks after surgery.