Hand Surgery

Treats injuries, nerve compression, arthritis, and congenital differences of the hand and wrist, restoring function, feeling, and use — not appearance alone.

What is hand surgery?

Hand surgery covers a wide range of problems: fractures and tendon or nerve injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome and other nerve compressions, trigger finger, arthritis, Dupuytren's contracture, cysts and tumors, and congenital differences. Because the hand packs bones, tendons, nerves, and blood vessels into a small space, small problems can have large functional effects, and the goal of surgery is almost always function first — grip, pinch, feeling, and movement — with appearance secondary.

How is hand surgery done?

The operation depends entirely on the diagnosis: a fracture may need pins, plates, or screws; a compressed nerve is released; a torn tendon is repaired; an arthritic joint may be fused or replaced; a Dupuytren's cord is removed or released. Many hand operations are outpatient under local or regional anesthesia (numbing the arm), which allows the surgeon to check tendon movement during surgery. Hand therapy after surgery is often as important as the operation itself and should be planned before booking.

What are the options for hand surgery?

Trauma surgery. Fracture fixation, tendon and nerve repair, and soft-tissue reconstruction after injury. Nerve compression surgery. Carpal tunnel release, cubital tunnel release, and other decompressions for numbness, tingling, or weakness. Arthritis surgery. Joint fusion, joint replacement, or tendon procedures for painful, stiff joints. Dupuytren's treatment. Needle release, enzyme injection, or surgical removal of the contracted tissue, chosen by severity and pattern. Congenital and reconstructive surgery. Correction of differences present from birth, and reconstruction after tumor removal or major injury.

What affects the cost of hand surgery?

There is no single fixed charge for hand surgery, and this guide does not publish prices: the written quote you receive at consultation is the binding figure.

Factors that commonly move the total include the surgeon's experience, the facility type (office procedure suite, ambulatory surgery center, or hospital), the type and length of anesthesia, the complexity of the surgical plan, whether other procedures are combined in the same operation, garments and follow-up visits, and the revision terms. Ask for an itemized written quote that states exactly what is included, and what would cost extra if a revision or an overnight stay became necessary.

What is recovery like after hand surgery?

Recovery varies more in hand surgery than in most fields: a carpal tunnel release may allow light use within days, while a tendon repair needs weeks of protected movement and supervised therapy before strength returns. Expect swelling, soreness, and stiffness at first, with a splint or dressing worn as directed. Hand therapy — exercises, splinting, and scar management — is central to the result, and skipping it is the most common reason for a poor outcome after an otherwise good operation.

What are the risks of hand surgery?

Risks include bleeding, infection, scarring, stiffness, numbness, incomplete relief of symptoms, and injury to nearby nerves, tendons, or blood vessels. Some conditions can recur, and some operations trade one problem for another (for example, fusing a joint relieves pain but removes its movement). A frank discussion of what surgery can and cannot restore, and of the therapy commitment afterward, is essential before proceeding.

What should I ask at a hand surgery consultation?

• What exactly is the diagnosis, and what will surgery change and not change?
• What hand therapy will I need afterward, and for how long?
• What are the non-surgical options, and why is surgery recommended now?
• What is the total quote, broken down, and what are the revision terms?
• Can you confirm your board certification? (Check the badge on each profile in this directory.)

Sources: American Society of Plastic Surgeons patient information and procedure guidance; U.S. Food and Drug Administration guidance where applicable. General information only, not medical advice. Confirm details with a board-certified surgeon at consultation.