Is Hand Surgery painful?

During the hand surgery procedure, Dr. Pace will administer a type of anesthesia to minimize any discomfort or pain. Once the anesthesia wears off and you return home, there may be additional types of pain management to utilize which can aid in your recovery. Every patient has a different pain threshold, and this is something you should discuss during your consultation. Not adhering to the recovery steps and taking the time to properly heal can also result in pain and possible need for additional corrective surgery.

How many appointments will I need?

Most Hand Surgery procedures can be performed in one appointment. Part of your recovery process is scheduling a follow-up appointment, where Dr. Pace can track your progress and monitor your healing. The follow-up appointment also allows you to discuss any pain or symptoms you are experiencing. For patients dissatisfied with the outcome, or experiencing additional problems, Dr. Pace may recommend an additional surgical appointment to correct any secondary issues.

How long until I see results?

Each patient’s surgical outcome will vary, depending on the specific issue being treated. The outcome of your hand surgery will develop over time. While advances in Hand Surgery can accomplish near miracles in reconstruction and replantation, your outcome cannot be fully predicted. For certain traumatic injuries, it may not be possible to achieve completely normal function. If you had surgery to correct carpal tunnel syndrome, modifying work habits as recommended is vital to long-term improvement. Your outcome may not be realized for several months. In certain situations, a year is considered appropriate to fully reach the restored function. Dr. Pace may recommend therapy to rehabilitate your hand, which can aid in mobility and function over time.

Can I combine Hand Surgery with other procedures?

You do have the option to combine Hand Surgery with other procedures, but we advise you to discuss this with Dr. Pace during your consultation. Having hand surgery means minimal use of your hands during the recovery period, which can become even more difficult if you have a procedure elsewhere that requires wound dressing or medication application. Dr. Pace may advise against combining hand surgery with another procedure if he believes it will negatively impact your ability to function the days following surgery. That being said, you may be advised to look into Scar Revision to minimize the appearance of any resulting scars from surgery. No matter what your surgical and cosmetic goals are, Dr. Pace can help you discover the best options for you.

What are the risks associated with Hand Surgery?

As with any surgery, there are risks involved, which are important to be aware of. Before performing any surgery or procedure, Dr. Pace will discuss these risks in great detail with you, so that you can make an informed decision. Some of the risks involved with Hand Surgery include: Bleeding Inability to restore the function Recurrence of carpal tunnel Tendon scarring Rupture of tendon Fluid accumulation. Having hand surgery is a big decision, and you must weigh all the risks and benefits, making the best decision for yourself.

Hand Surgery In Greensboro, NC

blonde woman with hand under chin looking off into the distance

What is hand surgery?
Who are the best candidates?
What are the benefits?
What’s the first step?
What to expect?
Recovery
How much does it cost?
Faqs

Introduction to Hand Surgery

Having an injury to your hand can greatly disrupt your life, as this is a part of the body you use the most every day. Hand surgery is a broad term that covers many different types of procedures. Dr. Collier Pace specializes in Hand Surgery at our practice in Greensboro, NC, where he works to restore hand and finger function. For patients who have experienced hand injuries or who have a specific type of disorder, such as arthritis, hand surgery can help correct the issues and give you back mobility that you need every day. There are a number of areas on the hand itself that may require surgical intervention, which Dr. Pace is ready to address.

What is Hand Surgery?

Hand surgery is a surgical procedure that is performed on a specific area of the hand to restore mobility and function. There are some of the most common types of hand surgery:

Carpal tunnel
Skin grafts
Skin flaps
Fixing and realigning broken bones
Tendon repair
Nerve repair
Fasciotomy (addressing and fixing swelling caused by injury)
Joint replacement
Trigger finger release

It is a very precise and delicate surgery, in which Dr. Pace is highly specialized. He uses advanced techniques that are a combination of orthopedic, plastic, and reconstructive surgeries. Whether it is a defect from birth or an acquired injury, hand surgery can address these issues.

woman in white shirt with arms above head and under chin smiling

What are the Benefits of Hand Surgery?

The main benefit and objective of Hand Surgery in Greensboro, NC is to give you back mobility and normal function of your hand. Without the regular use of our hands, our everyday lives can suffer. Having hand surgery to fix a mobility issue or a defect can increase our opportunity to function. Hand surgery is not something to put off until later, as the issue may be exacerbated over time.

Hand pain relief
Improved dexterity following recovery
Ability to return to normal activities following rehabilitation
Improved range of motion in the hand and wrist
Doesn’t require general anesthesia in some cases
You can participate in your surgery to improve your outcome (such as testing your tendon repair or your trigger finger release at the time of surgery to ensure success)

By choosing Dr. Pace to perform your hand surgery you are choosing a life that is mobile, functional, and potentially pain-free.

Who are the Best Candidates for the Hand Surgery procedure?

The best candidates for hand surgery are patients with the following characteristics:

Experiencing painful conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and Dupuytren’s contracture
Have hand/wrist injuries and fractures
Require hand/wrist reconstruction following disabling injury, burn, or paralysis
Correction of birth defects
Carpal tunnel syndrome and repetitive motion injuries
Trigger finger
Arthritis, including joint reconstruction (arthritic joint reconstruction)
Removal of cysts, tumors, and skin lesions
Scar removal or revision
Maintain realistic expectations

Additionally, Dr. Pace may recommend one or a combination of techniques to achieve your goals. Some of those techniques include microsurgery, grafting of skin, bone, nerves, or other tissue from healthy parts of the body, z-plasty, and physical therapy.

What’s the First Step?

The first step to getting hand surgery is to call Greensboro Plastic Surgery for a consultation. During the consult, Dr. Pace will assess your needs and desired outcome, and determine the best course of treatment. He will look over your medical history, and tell you more about how hand surgery can potentially benefit you. The consultation is also your opportunity to ask questions about the treatment options so that you can make an informed decision.

What to Expect on the Day of Hand Surgery

On the day of your procedure, you will be required to fill out paperwork before being taken into the surgical room. Dr. Pace will administer a type of anesthesia, which he will discuss with you to determine the right option. You must arrange transportation to the surgical center in Greensboro, NC, as you will not likely be able to drive yourself home after your procedure.

Dr. Pace will start by making an incision on the part of the hand he will be treating. One of the most common traumatic hand or finger injuries requiring hand surgery is tendon repair. When a tendon is cut, it will retract from the original wound site. Tendon repair retrieves the retracted tendon and reconnects it using surgical techniques to restore function and movement.

For carpal tunnel, the incision is usually made from the middle of the palm to the wrist, allowing access to the constricted tissue causing pressure on the nerve.

Once the surgery is complete, Dr. Pace will close the incision using sutures. After the procedure, Dr. Pace and his medical staff will allow you time to rest and recover from the anesthesia, before giving you all the information you need for a successful and smooth recovery.

Hand Surgery Recovery

Before you leave our surgical facility, there are important post-surgical recovery steps we will share with you to help you heal as quickly and painlessly as possible. Our information will include bandage and wound care, pain medication advice, risk management, and follow-up appointments. After surgery, bandages or dressings may be applied to keep the surgical site clean and splints may be used when needed.

It is very common for therapy to be recommended when healing from hand surgery after your wound has completely closed and any stitches have been removed. Therapy can play a vital role in your recovery and restoring mobility and function to your hand. If you attempt to return to normal function too soon, the risk of re-injury is possible.

By following all the instructions given, we can ensure a successful outcome for your procedure.

How Much Does Hand Surgery Cost in Greensboro, NC?

The cost of hand Surgery in Greensboro, NC, will depend on your surgery. During your consultation, Dr. Pace will thoroughly go over all the steps and assess your intended focus areas and problems. You will discuss your intended goals and concerns so that he can give you an accurate picture of what will be possible for your procedure. It is important to ask as many questions as possible so that you feel comfortable about the procedure and make an informed choice.

Why Choose Dr. Pace?

As a board-certified cosmetic and plastic surgeon with both the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) and the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), you are in good hands with Dr. Collier Pace. He is an expert in his industry, specializing in Aesthetic/Cosmetic Plastic Surgery, Hand, Facial Plastic, and Reconstructive Surgery. Dr. Pace is an active member of The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), which is one of the most prestigious Plastic Surgery societies in the US.

With years of experience and a passion for helping you look and feel your best, there is no one else you should trust with your hand surgery needs in Greensboro, NC. Dr. Pace treats every patient as an individual and will work to ensure you are happy with your treatment plan and satisfied with your results.

Schedule your consultation

If you are ready to book your hand surgery consultation in Greensboro, NC, you can schedule an appointment using our virtual scheduler on the website or by calling us directly. If you’re looking to regain the full range of motion for your hands, Dr. Pace and our team at Greensboro Plastic Surgery want to help. Don’t put off the pain, discomfort, or limited usability any longer, reach out today!

Hand Surgery FAQs

During the hand surgery procedure, Dr. Pace will administer a type of anesthesia to minimize any discomfort or pain. Once the anesthesia wears off and you return home, there may be additional types of pain management to utilize which can aid in your recovery. Every patient has a different pain threshold, and this is something you should discuss during your consultation.

Not adhering to the recovery steps and taking the time to properly heal can also result in pain and possible need for additional corrective surgery.
Most Hand Surgery procedures can be performed in one appointment. Part of your recovery process is scheduling a follow-up appointment, where Dr. Pace can track your progress and monitor your healing. The follow-up appointment also allows you to discuss any pain or symptoms you are experiencing. For patients dissatisfied with the outcome, or experiencing additional problems, Dr. Pace may recommend an additional surgical appointment to correct any secondary issues.
Each patient’s surgical outcome will vary, depending on the specific issue being treated. The outcome of your hand surgery will develop over time. While advances in Hand Surgery can accomplish near miracles in reconstruction and replantation, your outcome cannot be fully predicted. For certain traumatic injuries, it may not be possible to achieve completely normal function.

If you had surgery to correct carpal tunnel syndrome, modifying work habits as recommended is vital to long-term improvement. Your outcome may not be realized for several months. In certain situations, a year is considered appropriate to fully reach the restored function. Dr. Pace may recommend therapy to rehabilitate your hand, which can aid in mobility and function over time.
You do have the option to combine Hand Surgery with other procedures, but we advise you to discuss this with Dr. Pace during your consultation. Having hand surgery means minimal use of your hands during the recovery period, which can become even more difficult if you have a procedure elsewhere that requires wound dressing or medication application.

Dr. Pace may advise against combining hand surgery with another procedure if he believes it will negatively impact your ability to function the days following surgery. That being said, you may be advised to look into Scar Revision to minimize the appearance of any resulting scars from surgery. No matter what your surgical and cosmetic goals are, Dr. Pace can help you discover the best options for you.
As with any surgery, there are risks involved, which are important to be aware of. Before performing any surgery or procedure, Dr. Pace will discuss these risks in great detail with you, so that you can make an informed decision. Some of the risks involved with Hand Surgery include:

Bleeding
Inability to restore the function
Recurrence of carpal tunnel
Tendon scarring
Rupture of tendon
Fluid accumulation.

Having hand surgery is a big decision, and you must weigh all the risks and benefits, making the best decision for yourself.

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At Greensboro Plastic Surgery, we believe that knowledge is power, which is why we are open and upfront about every aspect of your procedure. We have created a page to address any of your concerns and help you make the best decisions for you and your body. Please read through the materials below, and don’t hesitate to reach out and set up your consultation to learn more about what we can do for you.

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Hand Surgery in Greensboro, NC