Hand Surgery
We use our hands for just about everything. So when pain, numbness, weakness or an injury gets in the way, it can have a big impact on your day-to-day life.
At UT Plastic Surgery, our hand surgery team treats a wide range of conditions affecting the hand, wrist and peripheral nerves. From common concerns like carpal tunnel and trigger finger to traumatic injuries and complex nerve damage, we’ll work with you to find the treatment that makes the most sense for you.
Conditions we treat include:
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Carpal tunnel can cause numbness, tingling, pain or weakness in the hand and fingers. If other treatments aren’t providing relief, surgery may help take pressure off the nerve and get you back to feeling more like yourself.
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Cubital tunnel syndrome happens when the ulnar nerve becomes compressed near the elbow. It can lead to numbness or tingling in the ring and little fingers, weakness in the hand or trouble with everyday movements.
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If a finger or thumb catches, locks or becomes painful when you bend or straighten it, trigger finger may be the cause. Treatment can help restore smoother, more comfortable movement.
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Pain along the thumb side of the wrist can make gripping, lifting and other everyday activities uncomfortable. De Quervain’s is caused by irritation around the tendons in this area and can often be treated successfully.
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Fractures, cuts, tendon injuries, nerve injuries and other trauma to the hand or wrist can affect both movement and sensation. Our goal is to restore as much function as possible and help you get back to the things you need and want to do.
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Nerve damage can lead to pain, numbness, weakness or loss of movement. In some cases, advanced nerve repair or microsurgery may be used to help restore function.
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Dupuytren’s contracture causes tissue beneath the skin of the palm to tighten over time, sometimes pulling one or more fingers inward and making it difficult to fully straighten the hand.
How are hand conditions Treated?
If you are struggling with nerve damage to your hands, it affects every area of your life. To determine the most effective treatment requires diagnosing the underlying cause of the condition. At UT Plastic Surgery, we offer some of the most advanced hand surgery Memphis can provide, for patients with various hand nerve conditions. The repair of the nerves may be required, which can be performed with microvascular surgery if this is indicated as being the most effective treatment.
What is hand microsurgery?
When the nerves that send signals to the hand to complete motions are damaged, it may require microsurgery to restore or improve motion and control or reduce pain. Hand microsurgery may be the necessary to bring you relief. This advanced surgical technique addresses tiny blood vessels and nerves that have been damaged due to injury or a health condition. Treating the condition successfully often involves specialists from several disciplines, one of the advantages of undergoing treatment at UT Plastic Surgery.
Why choose UT Plastic Surgery for hand surgery?
When something is wrong with your hand, the goal isn’t simply to treat the problem. It’s to help you get back to using your hand comfortably and confidently.
Our team treats both common and complex hand conditions, with care tailored to each patient. As part of an academic medical practice, our surgeons also bring specialized training and experience to some of the more challenging injuries and nerve conditions.
Muntazim Mukit, MD, has fellowship training hand surgery and treats both elective and traumatic hand conditions. His areas of interest include hand surgery, peripheral nerve surgery, burn surgery and complex wound reconstruction.
Whether you’re dealing with carpal tunnel, trigger finger, a recent injury or a more complicated nerve problem, we’re here to help you understand your options and determine the right next step.
What is hand surgery like?
Hand surgery can look very different from one patient to the next. Some procedures are relatively small and can be performed on an outpatient basis, while more complex injuries may require reconstructive surgery and a longer recovery.
Before surgery, we’ll talk through your diagnosis, your procedure and what you can expect afterward. Our goal is to make sure you understand the plan and feel comfortable with what comes next.
Recovery from hand surgery – what should I expect?
Recovery depends on the type of procedure you have and the condition being treated.
Some patients may return to normal activities fairly quickly, while tendon, nerve, fracture or reconstructive procedures may require more time. Your recovery may also include a splint, exercises or hand therapy to help restore movement and strength.
Nerves can take longer to heal than other tissues, so recovery from a nerve injury may happen gradually. We’ll follow your progress and help guide you through each stage of recovery.
Hand nerve anatomy
The nerves are made of specialized cells called neurons, which transmit messages from your brain to the hand. The hand nerves include:
Radial nerve:The radial nerve provides sensation to portions of the back of the hand and helps control movements that straighten the wrist and fingers.
Ulnar nerve:The ulnar nerve provides sensation to the little finger and part of the ring finger. It also controls several of the smaller muscles that help with grip and fine movements.
Median nerve: The median nerve provides sensation to the thumb, index finger, middle finger and part of the ring finger. It also helps control important thumb movements. When this nerve becomes compressed at the wrist, it can cause carpal tunnel syndrome.
If you’re experiencing hand or wrist pain, numbness, tingling, weakness or difficulty with movement, UT Plastic Surgery can help determine what’s causing it and talk through your treatment options.