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The hands are vital, necessary for eating, dressing, recreation, physical labor, and interaction. Plastic and reconstructive surgeons specializing in hand surgery use surgical and non-surgical therapies to treat all types of hand injuries and diseases, including carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis, traumatic injuries, congenital problems, tumors, and old injuries needing reconstruction. Hand surgeons also perform tendon, tissue, bone, and muscle transplants. In addition to their private offices, hand surgeons at Hackensack University Medical Center also see patients in the Occupational Medicine and Industrial Medicine Hand Clinics. Hand surgeons often work cooperatively with occupational therapists to help patients regain optimal functioning.
Congenital Defects
Congenital hand deformities — such as syndactyly (webbing), short or missing fingers, absent thumb, multiple extra digits, or abnormal tendons, nerves, or blood vessels — can interfere with a child’s ability to use his/her hands and may affect normal hand growth. Reconstructive surgery combined with hand therapy and/or occupational therapy can significantly improve the hand’s functioning and appearance.
Contractures and spasticity of the hands may be treated with surgical or non-surgical treatment. Follow this link for information on our comprehensive Congenital Hand Surgery Service.
Infections and Tumors
Hand surgeons possess the surgical expertise to treat acquired infections — ranging from minor fingernail infections to industrial high-pressure ones — and benign tumors, such as ganglion cysts, lipomas, giant cell tumors, and benign bony tumors. Through extensive pre-operative planning and often complex reconstructive surgery, the hand regains functioning.
Reconstructive Hand Surgery
Using surgical and non-surgical methods, hand surgeons treat many common maladies, including carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger fingers, ganglion cysts, Dupuytren’s contracture, and tendinitis. Arthritis of the finger and wrist joints can be treated with state-of-the-art joint replacement surgery or arthroplasty. Wrist injuries can be diagnosed and treated with minimal incisions using a tiny arthroscope. Rheumatoid joints can be reconstructed to restore grip and function, allowing the patients regain their independence.
Chronic vascular and nerve injuries can be reconstructed using precision microsurgery. Tendon deficits due to nerve injury can be treated with tendon transfers and indicated joint fusions. Chronic industrial and acquired deformities can be reconstructed to improve movement, feeling, dexterity, and strength, and thereby restore confidence and purpose to an injured worker or family member.
Trauma
Hand injuries represent 30 percent of the traumatic injuries that occur in Hackensack University Medical Center’s Emergency Trauma Department. Our plastic and reconstruction surgeons treat all types of hand injuries, including crush injuries, burns, blood vessel and nerve injuries, and detached digits and limbs. Common procedures to treat these injuries include resetting and repairing fractures and dislocations, tendon and nerve repairs, burn care, and microsurgical replantation (reattachment) of severed fingers and limbs. After the initial injury has been repaired, patients may require additional procedures performed by a specialized plastic and reconstructive surgeon, such as skin grafting, local skin and muscle flaps, and microsurgical transplantation of tissue to reconstruct missing skin, muscle, bone, and nerves.
Before and After Care
Since the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery is located within a comprehensive medical center, all components of your treatment can take place here for your convenience and safety.
As part of the clinical pathway that directs your entire course of treatment, your surgeon may recommend pre- and/or post-surgical treatment at our luxurious day spa, BEYOND, located nearby in the Hackensack University Medical Plaza. Or, you may benefit from physical, occupational, or speech therapy at the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department; home care; or other services. Whatever your needs are, you can be conveniently accommodated at the medical center.
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