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A Comprehensive Guide to Hand Nerve and Tendon Corrections
Introduction
Manual dexterity, or the ability of the hand to make coordinated movements, is vital to everyday life. The ability to enact complex hand motions is necessary for work, entertainment, and other tasks of living. This guide will serve as a quick overview of hand tendon and nerve function, what can cause damage, and what can be done to help.
Understanding Hand Nerve Injuries
Three nerves—the ulnar, median, and radial nerves—transmit signals to and from the hand. This smooth communication can be compromised by trauma. For example, in the case of a laceration—the medical term for a deep cut—the nerve is severed.
Nerves can also be traumatized by inflammation. If the hand is crushed, or if muscles swell from overuse, then the nerve is compressed, and the signal is choked.
In degeneration, an insulating tissue called myelin is damaged by diseases like Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease, or by exposure to chemicals or viruses. Loss of myelin means the signal cannot travel smoothly.
Common symptoms of nerve damage are pain, a “pins and needles” feeling, numbness, or loss of movement. Early treatment can prevent damage from worsening.
Unraveling Tendon Issues in the Hand
Tendons are tough bands of tissue that connect muscle to bone. If the tendon is cut or bruised, it can no longer hold these structures together securely, causing pain and limiting movement. Overuse, through sports, a job, or a hobby that requires repetitive movement, also damages tendons.
Tendonitis is the swelling of the tendon, whether from injury or overuse. Swelling causes pain, as discussed above. Tendonitis can sometimes be helped with rest.
Tendonosis is the degeneration of the tissue itself, specifically collagen. Collagen is like a rubber band, and when the band breaks down then it can no longer stretch and contract like it used to. This can occur from repeated injury or from some medical conditions that weaken collagen, like Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Tendonosis is degenerative and must be treated as early as possible.
Corrective Approaches for Hand Nerves and Tendons
In some acute cases, these injuries can be treated by RICE: rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Physical therapy can also help to strengthen muscles and train the body to move in healthy ways. Anti-inflammatory medication and pain medication are also used to treat symptoms. However, these methods only slow the progression of damage.
When conservative treatments no longer work, surgical intervention is needed. Surgery can now be minimally invasive, which means small incisions and reduced scarring. Damaged nerve and tendon tissue can be surgically reconnected, but nerve allografts—harvested tissue from one site that’s implanted at the damaged site— are also possible for both nerves and tendons. When performed in conjunction with physical therapy or rehabilitation, these procedures can greatly aid in keeping and restoring hand function.
Finding Reputable Treatment
Loss of hand function will affect a person’s lifestyle, and the correct time to seek medical intervention is when symptoms are first noticed. If you are experiencing a loss of hand function, seek out a medical professional today. In Portland Oregon, renowned Dr. Fichadia has been successfully correcting hand and nerve tendons for years. When it comes to body functions, especially in relation to mobility, top-notch care could mean the difference in your quality of life. If you have noticed any alarming symptoms, get in contact with Hetal Fichadia and schedule a consultation as soon as possible.
Dr. Fichadia is a double board-certified, comprehensively trained plastic and reconstructive surgeon. She completed general surgical training at St Elizabeth’s Medical Center, an affiliate of Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston, MA, and subsequently completed a highly competitive plastic surgery program at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, OR. She has presented research from her time in Boston and Portland at national and international surgical meetings such as Clinical Congress of the American College of Surgeons and annual meeting of American Society of Plastic Surgery.
