- Jay M. Pensler, M.D.
- Chicago Plastic Surgeon
- 680 North Lake Shore Drive
- Suite 1125
- Chicago, IL 60611
- 312.642.7777
- info@plasticsurg.org
Results and outlook
The final outcome of your hand surgery will develop over time. While advances in hand surgery can accomplish near miracles in reconstruction and replantation, your outcome cannot be fully predicted.
If you had surgery to correct carpal tunnel syndrome, modifying work habits as recommended is vital to long-term improvement. Your final outcome may not be realized for several months. If your procedure involved microsurgery, a year is considered appropriate to fully reach restored function.
Words to know
- Carpal tunnel syndrome: A condition caused by pressure to the median nerve within the wrist or carpal tunnel causing pain, tingling and numbness.
- Dupuytren’s contracture: A disabling hand disorder in which thick, scar-like tissue bands form within the palm and may extend into the fingers. It can cause restricted movement, bending the fingers into an abnormal position.
- Extensor tendon: A tendon which serves to extend a bodily part.
- Flexor tendon: A tendon which serves to bend a body part.
- General anesthesia: Drugs and/or gases used during an operation to relieve pain and alter consciousness.
- Grafting: Tissue taken from other parts of the body.
- Intravenous sedation: Sedatives administered by injection into a vein to help you relax.
- Microsurgery: High magnification to repair or reconnect severed nerves and tendons, common in trauma cases and often used to reattach severed fingers or limbs.
- Polydactyly: The presence of extra fingers.
- Rheumatoid arthritis:A disabling disease that can cause severe inflammation in any joint of the body. In the hand, it can deform fingers and impair movement.
- Syndactyly:When fingers are fused together.
- Tendon: A tough cord or band of dense white fibrous connective tissue that unites a muscle with some other part.
- Tenolysis:A surgical procedure to free a tendon from surrounding adhesions.
- Trigger finger:An abnormal condition in which flexion or extension of a finger may be momentarily obstructed by spasm followed by a snapping into place.
- Z-plasty:A surgical incision technique that creates small triangular flaps of tissue that help to close wounds over areas of the hand where bending or flexing is essential to function, such as around knuckles.
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