The human hand is a miracle of evolution. Its prehensile function is what makes us stand apart from the other species. Such a small part of the body houses 27 bones, 17 muscles and numerous pulleys and ligaments which indicates the complex function the human hand does. Needless to say, if your hand is impaired in any way, it needs to be evaluated by a hand expert. With hand surgery at Dr. Anjali Saple’s in Visakhapatnam, you can get your hand back to normal!
Hand injuries, diseases, and birth deformities can have a profound impact on a person’s life. Many everyday activities, such as writing, cooking, and cleaning, can become difficult or impossible. In addition, hand problems can lead to social isolation and depression. There are many different causes of hand problems, including trauma, disease, and birth defects. Traumatic hand injuries can occur from falls, car accidents, or other trauma. Diseases such as arthritis, diabetes, and carpal tunnel syndrome can lead to hand problems. Some people are born with hand deformities. Regardless of the cause, hand problems can be debilitating and should be treated by a doctor who is trained in hand surgery.
Hand surgery is a wide field within plastic surgery, with a variety of techniques. Hand surgeons are trained in the diagnosis and treatment of hand injuries, diseases, and deformities. The main goal of hand surgery is to restore function, minimize pain, and improve the appearance of the hand.
You are an ideal candidate for hand surgery if:
At the consultation, Dr. Anjali will examine your hands and ask about your medical history. Photographs will be taken for before-and-after comparisons. Dr. Anjali will discuss your goals and expectations and recommend a course of treatment. This is an opportunity for you to learn more about hand surgery and to ask any questions you may have.
Hand surgery usually involves reconstructive and microsurgery techniques. Reconstructive hand surgery is performed to correct hand deformities that are the result of trauma, disease, or birth defects. Microsurgery is a type of surgery that uses a microscope to repair more delicate parts like small nerves and blood vessels. This type of surgery is often used in hand surgery to reconnect nerves and vessels that have been cut or damaged.
There are various types of hand surgery. Dr. Anjali will select the best surgery for you based on the underlying cause. As a result, determining the true source of your condition is at the top of Dr. Anjali ’s priority list.
Following is the list of hand surgery procedures that can be used to correct any hand deformities and restore function and aesthetic appeal to your hand:
Skin Grafts: This is a surgical procedure in which skin is removed from one area of the body and transplanted to another. Skin grafts are often used to treat fingertip amputations or injuries.
Skin Flaps: Skin flaps for the hand, like a skin graft, require removing skin from another location on the body. However, this technique utilizes tissue with its own blood flow. This is due to the fact that the layer of skin utilized includes the underlying blood vessels, fat, and muscles. When there is no adequate blood supply to an area that lacks skin (this might be due to the site, vessel damage, or significant tissue loss), flaps can be utilized.
Open Fracture Reduction And Fixation: This is a surgery that is performed to treat an open fracture, which is a break in the bone that pierces through the skin. The goal of this surgery is to clean the wound, reduce the fracture (set the bone), and then stabilize the bone with plates, screws, or wires.
Closed Reduction And Fixation: This surgery is performed to treat a closed fracture, which is a break in the bone that does not pierce through the skin. The goal of this surgery is to reduce the fracture (set the bone) and then stabilize the bone with wires.
Tendon Repair: Tendons are fibers that connect muscle to bone. Because of their structure, tendon repairs remain a surgical challenge. Tendon injuries can be caused by infection, trauma, or spontaneous rupture.
There are three distinct forms of tendon repair: primary, delayed primary, and secondary.
Nerve Repair: The three major nerves in the hand are the ulnar nerve, median nerve, and radial nerve. Damage to these nerves from an accident may lead to an inability to move or experience sensation in the hand. Some nerve injuries heal on their own, while others necessitate surgical treatment.
You will need to get nerve repairs done within 3-6 weeks after the injury to achieve the best results. Repairs to damaged nerves should be made as quickly as possible before additional injuries can complicate the situation.
In the event of a severed nerve, it is reconnected right to the other end of the nerve. It may be necessary to use a nerve graft, which is a method of transplanting nerves from other parts of the body into the damaged one. This restores the injured region completely.
Surgical Drainage or Debridement: This involves the removal of pus, debris, or dead tissue from a wound. Surgical drainage is done to promote healing and prevent infection. Debridement is the removal of dead or damaged tissue from a wound. It is often done in combination with other treatments, such as antibiotics and wound dressings.
Joint Replacement: Patients suffering from severe arthritis in their hands can benefit from joint replacement surgery (also known as arthroplasty). In this procedure, the damaged cartilage and bone are removed and replaced with an artificial joint (prosthesis). This surgery is performed to relieve pain, restore function, and improve quality of life.
Replantation: Replantation is a type of hand surgery that is performed to save a body part that has been completely severed. In this procedure, the severed body part is reattached to the main body. This type of surgery is often performed in emergency situations.
The surgery is a daycare procedure, so you may return to your home the same day. After surgery, your hand may be immobilized in a bandage or splint. Dr. Anjali will decide the duration of the immobilization.
Here are some things to keep in mind to ensure a speedy and smooth recovery. These include taking pain medication as soon as you get home before the anesthesia has worn off; getting physical therapy to improve mobility; keeping your dressings in place and dry at all times; and keeping your arm and hand raised for 3-5 days after the surgery (if the swelling and discomfort continue, keep it elevated). All of these things will help you heal faster and better after your surgery.
After surgery, you may be restricted in certain activities. This will be determined by Dr. Anjali based on each patient’s situation.
The benefits of hand surgery can range from improved function and mobility to pain relief. Depending on the type of procedure Dr. Anjali performs, patients may also experience a cosmetic improvement in the appearance of their hands.
The cost of hand surgery can vary depending on the type of procedure Dr. Anjali performs, as well as the facility where the surgery is performed. To get an estimate of the cost of your specific procedure, please book a consultation with Dr. Anjali .
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Although hand surgery is generally safe, there are always risks associated with any type of surgery. Specific risks related to hand surgery include infection, nerve damage, stiffness, and blood clots. These risks are usually low, but if they occur, Dr. Anjali will manage them effectively.
Sheikh Rehman will soon be brushing his teeth and buttoning his shirt on his own, thanks to a recent surgery he underwent in the Plastic Surgery department at Seven Hills Hospital under the guidance of Dr. Anjali Saple.
This 38-year-old man who works as a linesman at APSEB sustained an unfortunate accident a year back when he was working on a transformer that was accidentally switched on by a coworker. This left him severely crippled with his right hand amputated below the elbow and his left hand without the thumb and index fingers. A prosthesis (artificial hand) was customized for his right hand but he still had to depend on his wife for his basic day-to-day activities.
As humans, what sets us apart is our prehensile function. The thumb enables us to not only grasp big objects but also do fine intricate works like writing and painting. It performs 50% of the hand function and in its absence, the hand is almost useless. It is no wonder then, that it is called the “King of Digits!” The story of Dronacharya asking for Elkavya’s thumb as Guru Dakshina so that he would not surpass Arjuna is common knowledge!
There was finally a ray of hope for Sheikh Rehman when last week, he got a new thumb thanks to the efforts of Dr. Anjali Saple and Dr. Sumitra Gantayet. The second toe of his right foot was successfully transplanted onto his left hand.
Of all the methods of thumb reconstruction, toe transfer is the most superior because the toe resembles the thumb in structure and function. This is the first surgery of its kind to have been performed in Andhra Pradesh and is undoubtedly well worth the time, technical skill, and infrastructure required for it. Removal of the second toe does not affect how the person walks, at the same time restoring the critical function of the hand. This surgery is a boon for individuals who may have lost their thumbs accidentally or for children who are born with deformed thumbs.
The surgery took nearly 11 hours wherein the blood vessels, nerves, tendons, and bones of the toe were carefully divided and then painstakingly joined to the vessels, nerves, tendons, and bones of the thumb under the microscope till there was good blood flow through the new thumb. These vessels (arteries) are not more than 1.5 mm in diameter and the veins are even smaller.
Sheikh Rehman started walking within 4 days and has now started dedicated physiotherapy to teach his toe to function like a thumb.
This surgery will go a long way in rehabilitating Sheikh Rehman not only physically but also emotionally and psychologically and his entire family is extremely grateful for the untiring efforts put in by Dr. Anjali Saple to make him self-reliant.
Dr. Anjali Saple is a skilled and experienced plastic and cosmetic surgeon in Visakhapatnam, India. She has a keen eye for aesthetics and is a perfectionist to the core. Dr. Anjali Saple completed her M.B.B.S, M.S. General Surgery and DNB Plastic Surgery from the prestigious Lokmanya Tilak Hospital, Mumbai.<br> She then took special training in Cosmetic Surgery at Mercy Hospital, Buffalo, USA, and at Santa Casa Hospital, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She has been practicing as a Consultant Cosmetic and Plastic Surgeon in Visakhapatnam for the last 22 years. She regularly upgrades her skills to impart the best possible care to her patients and her 25 years of experience have made her one of the most sought-after surgeons in Visakhapatnam, India.
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Tue : 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM & 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Wed : 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM & 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Thurs : 9:30 AM – 2:00 & 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Fri : 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM & 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Sat : 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Sun : Closed
At Dr. Anjali Saple, we believe that consultation is key to providing customized solutions for our patients. Dr. Anjali Saple, Dr. Sumitra Gantayet and Monika will take the time to understand your individual goals and recommend the best treatment options available.
