Extremity Surgery
Hand Surgery
If your hand is impaired in any way, Dr. Alfonso Oliva may be able to greatly improve your condition and capabilities. This type of very complex surgery can help to treat diseases that cause pain and impair the strength, function and flexibility of your wrist and fingers. With specialized training in hand surgery, Dr. Oliva will strive to restore normal function of fingers and hands injured by a trauma or correct birth abnormalities.
Dr. Oliva can use hand surgery procedures to treat:
Carpal Tunnel – a condition caused by pressure to the median nerve within the wrist, or “carpal tunnel”. If you suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome, you may experience pain, tingling sensations, numbness in your fingers, weakness or aching. Carpal tunnel syndrome is associated with multiple conditions including: repetitive motion or overuse, fluid retention during pregnancy, injury to the nerve in the carpal tunnel or rheumatoid arthritis.
Cubital Tunnel – a condition brought on by increased pressure on the ulnar nerve at the elbow, a site commonly called the “funny bone”. Symptoms of cubital tunnel syndrome typically include pain, numbness, and/or tingling. These symptoms occur most often in the ring and little fingers.
Nerve Compression – a medical condition caused by direct pressure on a single nerve with symptoms affecting just one particular part of the body, depending which nerve is affected. Nerve compression can be caused by prolonged or repeated force, like sitting with an arm over the back of a chair (radial nerve) or frequently resting elbows on a table (ulnar nerve).
Dupuytren’s Contracture – a disabling hand disorder where thick, scar-like tissue bands form within the palm and may extend into the fingers. It can cause restricted movement, bending the fingers into abnormal positions.
Trigger Finger – a common disorder older adults characterized by catching, snapping or locking of the involved finger flexor tendon, associated with dysfunction and pain. “Trigger finger” is actually inflammation and thickening of the tendon sheath and can affect almost any tendon in the wrist and hand. The causes are rheumatoid arthritis, carpal syndrome, systemic diseases (such as diabetes), and trauma.
Is Hand Surgery Right For You?
Hand surgery may be a good option for you if:
- You do not have additional medical conditions or other illnesses that may impair healing
- You do not smoke
- You are committed to following Dr. Oliva’s prescribed course of treatment
What to Expect After Your Procedure
The final outcome of your hand surgery will continue to develop over time. It will be important to follow Dr. Oliva’s recovery instructions to keep your recovery on track.
If you undergo surgery to correct carpal tunnel syndrome, modifying work habits as recommended is vital to long-term improvement. Your final post-surgery outcome should be seen after a few months.
If your procedure involves microsurgery for correction, a year is considered appropriate to fully reach restored function in the affected area.
Contact our office to schedule a private consultation with Dr. Oliva.
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