How to Know if You Need Hand Tendon Surgery
Is the pain you feel in your hand the result of a serious tendon condition or a minor issue? Is surgery needed in order to relieve your symptoms, or will they disappear without surgical intervention?
The answers to these questions are different for every patient. It’s important not to ignore your symptoms. For many patients, neglecting treatment can worsen your hand tendon condition and, consequently, increase your painful symptoms. In turn, this may increase the likelihood of you needing hand tendon surgery. Rather than ignoring your hand pain, the best course of action is to undergo an examination by a qualified orthopaedic hand specialist.
A full examination by a qualified physician is required to properly diagnose your hand tendon condition. In the meantime, however, the Hand and Wrist specialist at OrthoNCe has compiled a helpful list of common culprits of hand tendon symptoms.
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- Trigger Finger (Tenosynovitis). Officially known as tenosynovitis, trigger finger is a condition that causes inflammation in the tissues of the finger and/or thumb. The synovium is a membrane that enables easy movement of the hand’s tendons. Patients of trigger finger experience inflammation of the synovium and associated tendons, making it difficult to straighten the affected fingers/thumb. Mild cases may be treated non-surgically, but trigger finger surgery is usually prescribed if mobility is greatly impaired.
- Tendonitis. Tendonitis is a condition that causes inflammation and irritation of affected tendons. The tendons of the hand and wrist are among the most commonly affected by this condition. In advanced cases, tendonitis can cause the tendon sheath of the wrist to harden and limit movement. Surgery is typically only needed if symptoms are severe or if the condition has reached an advanced stage. It may also be advised if you have a lifestyle that causes repetitive stress on your hands and wrists.
- Tendon Injuries. Traumatic injuries such as hand fractures, deep cuts, and jammed fingers can damage the tendons of the hand—especially the flexor tendons. If the damage is severe, reconstructive surgery may be prescribed to restore the affected tendon.
- Arthritis. Degenerative diseases—especially rheumatoid arthritis—can affect the tendons of the hand and cause severe inflammation. If treated at an early stage of development, symptoms can be effectively managed with non-operative treatments and therapies. If the condition is in an advanced stage and causing serious, chronic symptoms, a procedure may be needed to amend damaged areas within the joint.
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Carpal tunnel syndrome commonly occurs from overuse of the hand and wrist. When the hand and wrist are overworked, inflammation can occur and cause the compression of the median nerve. This may result in pain, numbness, tingling, and loss of function within the hand and arm. Early treatment involves reduced or altered activities and sometimes bracing. If the condition progresses, surgery may be necessary.
- Trigger Finger (Tenosynovitis). Officially known as tenosynovitis, trigger finger is a condition that causes inflammation in the tissues of the finger and/or thumb. The synovium is a membrane that enables easy movement of the hand’s tendons. Patients of trigger finger experience inflammation of the synovium and associated tendons, making it difficult to straighten the affected fingers/thumb. Mild cases may be treated non-surgically, but trigger finger surgery is usually prescribed if mobility is greatly impaired.
No matter which of the above-listed conditions is responsible for your symptoms, one thing is certain: you want your care to be handled by the most qualified orthopaedic experts the Triangle has to offer. From diagnosis to final recovery, OrthoNC provides the most effective treatment plans for orthopaedic issues, including those that affect the hand tendons.