An Overview of A Hand Surgeon

If you can’t imagine living without the use of one or both of your hands, you’re not alone. Our hands are the main way most of us interact with the world around us. Without them, we would be lost. Most of us are also dominant in one hand or the other and have difficulty performing tasks with our left hand that we normally perform with our right, or vice versa. As such, when it comes to hand injuries, you want to be sure you find a hand surgeon that can get you back to your normal duties as quickly as possible.

A hand surgeon is a medical doctor that completed specialized training. After medical school, he or she entered an orthopedic, plastic, or general surgery residency for seven years and then went on to specialize in operating on the intricate parts of the hand. A hand surgeon often deals with wrist and forearm as well and is highly specialized at diagnosing and treating problems with these areas. Because this type of surgeon is so highly specialized, they are very good at what they do and often do the same types of procedures over and over again. For example, carpal tunnel problems are extremely common and are often referred to a hand surgeon.

Most of the physicians that operate on hands are members of the American Society for Surgery of the Hand and are board-certified in their particular specialty. There is an additional year of training to become a hand surgeon as well as rigorous examinations for certification. Further specialization often divides this type of doctor into those that treat only adults, those that treat only children, those that deal only with trauma, and those that generally treat all types of hand injuries. The type of doctor that you see may depend on the size of community you live in.

It is important to keep in mind that just because you have been referred to see a hand surgeon, that does not mean he or she will necessarily recommend hand surgery. There are many non-surgical and non-invasive options that can help alleviate hand and wrist problems without entering an operating room. In fact, non-surgical options are often preferred for their quick recovery time, low cost, and ease of use.

Some of the problems that are brought to physicians that specialize in the hand include carpal tunnel syndrome, sports injuries to the hand or wrist, wrist pain, and traumatic cuts on the hand, wrist, fingers or forearm. Sometimes a hand surgeon needs to create a finger to replace one that has been accidentally cut off. This remarkable procedure can use a toe or other joint to reconstruct the missing finger.

If you think you could use the skills of a physician that specializes in the hand, talk to your primary care doctor for a referral to someone in your community.

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