Hand Injury

________Dr. Mohan Rangaswamy________

hand surgery in dubai

Hand Injury Services in Dubai

The hand is a complex organ essential for many everyday activities. Even an injury that appears minor may involve damage to deeper structures that is not immediately visible. Inadequate treatment may result in long-term stiffness, reduced function, or changes in appearance. Appropriate surgical treatment can help manage serious hand injuries and preserve function. Hand injury management involves both orthopaedic and plastic surgery specialties. Traditionally, orthopaedic surgeons have managed many hand trauma cases, although plastic surgeons also play an important role in treating injuries involving the skin, soft tissues, nerves, and blood vessels.

Not all plastic surgeons have specialised training in hand surgery. However, involving a plastic surgeon with relevant hand surgery experience may be beneficial, particularly when an injury involves open wounds or soft tissue damage alongside fractures. Hand surgery techniques offer several options for managing soft tissue loss. These injuries may need to be addressed early, alongside bone fixation, rather than at a later stage. Therefore, early assessment by both orthopaedic and plastic surgery specialists may be important in managing complex hand injuries.

Care of hand injury falls in orthopedic and plastic surgery areas. Traditionally in many places, it is the ortho surgeon who looks after hand trauma. In any country there are more orthopedic surgeons than are plastic surgeons and so traditionally hand trauma goes to orthopedic specialists. Again not all plastic surgeons get adequate training in hand. However, if a hand trained plastic surgeon is available, then it is worthwhile getting the plastic surgeon involved, especially so where there are open skin/soft tissue injuries in addition to bony. There have been great advances in hand surgery with the result that there are very elegant plastic surgical solutions for soft tissue loss in the hand. Such losses need to be addressed primarily along with bone fixation and not later on. Hence ortho and plastic specialists must see the injured hand in its early days.

At the Welcare hospital Dr. Mohan started an acute hand service in 2002 where almost all hand injuries with tissue loss or soft tissue injuries combined with bony injury are seen and treated by him. Closed hand injuries are still treated effectively by orthopedic surgeons. In fact an easy cooperation between the two departments works to the best interest of the patient. Cases range from fingertip injuries due to crushing in a door to full scale amputations. Great care is taken in such cases to give the most optimum tissue salvage and functional outcome. The department is proud of its hand service and has several successful re-implants to its credit. Tendon, vessel, nerve injuries may also require plastic surgeon’s expertise.

What to do if the digit is amputated? If a part has been amputated, the part should be washed with clean water or sterile saline if available and then kept in a clean zipper plastic bag [like the kitchen zip bag or equivalent] and cooled in ice or using cold packs. The part should not lie in direct contact with ice. Do not put salt in the ice!! DO NOT PUT ANY CHEMICALS OR ANTISEPTICS. Preserved this way, it can sometimes be replanted or at least parts of the amputated digit can be used as grafts to cover the stump. The injured finger should be cleaned with sterile saline and covered in sterile dressing. The hand is to be elevated. Direct compression will stop most bleeding. The victim must then reach the hospital along with the part.

Surgical repair of crush injuries may often be delayed by 2-5 days to allow time for swelling to subside, however it is important to do thorough professional cleaning within 6 hours and to start effective antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications [medication to reduce swelling]. This care is usually rendered by emergency room physicians, a plastic surgeon should be consulted early, preferably by the emergency physician so that a priority out of turn appointment may be arranged. Most cases can be well repaired on the third day.

If you are seeking the best plastic surgeon in Dubai for hand injuries and surgery, Dr. Mohan offers comprehensive care and expert treatment. Plastic surgery for hand injuries can often involve advanced techniques to repair soft tissue damage, and Dr. Mohan specializes in providing such treatments for optimal recovery. For those in need of a trusted plastic surgery clinic in Dubai, Dr. Mohan’s practice offers specialized care for hand injuries, from tissue loss to nerve damage.When it comes to the best plastic surgery in Dubai for hand trauma, Dr. Mohan’s expertise ensures high-quality outcomes, restoring function and appearance.