HAND SURGERY

About Hand Surgeons

Hand surgery is a specialized field that focuses on the surgical and non-surgical treatment of conditions affecting the hand and upper extremity, including injuries, infections, and congenital defects. The field requires extensive training and expertise from surgeons who may have backgrounds in general surgery, orthopedic surgery, or plastic surgery.

Training and Certification

Hand surgeons typically complete their medical education in one of the following disciplines:

  • General Surgery

  • Orthopedic Surgery

  • Plastic Surgery

Plastic and orthopedic surgeons receive specific training in hand surgery during their residency. Many go on to complete an additional one-year fellowship in hand surgery to further specialize. Surgeons who have completed an approved fellowship and met other qualifications can take the Certificate of Added Qualifications in Surgery of the Hand (CAQSH) exam.

Although their original specialties may differ, all hand surgeons trained in hand surgery are skilled in treating injuries to both the bones and soft tissues of the hand and upper extremity.

Areas of Specialization

  • Plastic Surgeons: Specialize in traumatic hand injuries, including digit amputations requiring replantation.

  • Orthopedic Surgeons: Focus on reconstructing the tendons, muscles, bones, and fractures of the hand and wrist, particularly in complex cases.

  • General Surgeons: Have foundational knowledge in hand surgery but may not be as specialized in intricate hand procedures compared to orthopedic or plastic surgeons.

Historical Context

Modern hand surgery began during World War II, when Major General Norman T. Kirk recognized the need for specialized training in hand injuries following the poor outcomes of World War I casualties. Dr. Sterling Bunnell, a civilian surgeon with a focus on hand reconstruction, was enlisted to train military surgeons, leading to the formal establishment of hand surgery as a specialty. Since then, hand surgery has evolved, with contributions from orthopedic surgeons, plastic surgeons, and other specialties like neurosurgery and microvascular surgery.

Scope of Practice

Hand surgeons treat a wide variety of conditions, including:

  • Fracture repairs

  • Tendon transfers and repairs

  • Reconstruction of rheumatoid deformities and congenital defects

  • Microsurgical reattachment of amputated parts

  • Nerve reconstruction

  • Soft tissue and bone reconstruction

  • Paralysis treatments for upper limbs

Hand surgeons also work on more complex procedures such as microsurgical free tissue transfers and transplants.

International Recognition

In countries like Sweden, Finland, and Singapore, hand surgery is recognized as a separate clinical specialty, with a formal residency program that lasts between four to six years. Surgeons trained in these programs are equally adept in both orthopedic and plastic hand surgery techniques, mastering all aspects of hand surgery including tendon and ligament repairs, bone injuries, and complex microsurgical reconstructions.

Indications for Hand Surgery in Las Vegas

Several conditions may require the expertise of a hand surgeon, including:

  • Hand injuries

  • Joint replacements

  • Fusions

  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

  • Carpometacarpal bossing

  • Rheumatoid arthritis

  • Dupuytren’s contracture

  • Congenital defects

  • Trigger Finger

  • Cysts

  • Fractures

  • Foreign bodies in the hand or wrist

If you are experiencing any of these conditions, consulting a skilled hand surgeon is essential to ensure you receive the best care and treatment for optimal function and recovery.

Get Help from an Hand Specialist

Our team is here to help you understand your options and connect you with the right hand surgeon for your needs. We can also check your insurance coverage and walk you through the next steps.

📞 Call us at 702-227-5848
📩 Or complete this form