Frequently Asked Questions

Deciding to undergo surgery can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be.
Many patients share similar questions about the process, and we’re here to provide answers.

Questions

Awake hand surgery uses the WALANT technique (Wide Awake Local Anesthesia No Tourniquet) to perform procedures without general anesthesia, allowing patients to remain fully conscious and comfortable during surgery.

Office-based surgery eliminates the need for general anesthesia, reducing risks and recovery time. Patients can eat, drink, and drive themselves to and from the procedure, often resuming normal activities the same day.

Common procedures include carpal tunnel release, trigger finger release, fat injections for joint pain, tendon repair, mucous cyst removal, and minor trauma management.

Fat injections use your own fat, which contains stem cells, offering longer-lasting pain relief and joint stability compared to the temporary effects of steroid injections.

Surgery is typically considered after a six-week trial of hand therapy and bracing. Options include fat injections or arthroplasty, depending on the severity and patient preferences.

Complex surgeries like wrist arthroscopy, hand joint replacements, and basal joint arthroplasty are performed in hospitals or surgical centers to accommodate their technical demands.

Yes, office-based surgery is ideal for older patients, as it avoids preoperative testing, general anesthesia, and prolonged recovery times, making it safer and more convenient.

Other Common Questions

What could cause hand pain?
Cubital tunnel syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, hand arthritis, lacertus compression, Guyon’s canal syndrome, or trigger finger.

What could cause shoulder pain?
Carpal tunnel syndrome.

What could cause hand numbness?
Carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome, Guyon’s canal syndrome, or lacertus fibrosis.

What could cause pain with gripping?
Trigger finger or De Quervain’s tenosynovitis.

Why is my finger stuck open or closed?
Trigger finger or Dupuytren’s disease.

What could cause a painful finger?
Arthritis or trigger finger.

Why am I dropping objects?
Carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome, or Guyon’s canal syndrome.

What could cause hand weakness?
Lacertus compression, cubital tunnel syndrome, Guyon’s canal syndrome, or carpal tunnel syndrome.

What could cause a burning sensation in my hand?
Carpal tunnel syndrome.

Why can’t I sleep because of my hand symptoms?
Carpal tunnel syndrome.

What causes numbness and tingling in the little finger?
Cubital tunnel syndrome or Guyon’s canal syndrome.

What causes numbness in the index finger?
Carpal tunnel syndrome.

What could a bump on my wrist be?
Ganglion cyst, lipoma, rheumatoid nodule, or giant cell tumor.

What could a bump on my hand be?
Ganglion cyst, Dupuytren’s nodule, Garrod’s pad, rheumatoid nodule, or giant cell tumor.

What could a bump on my finger be?
Mucous cyst, giant cell tumor, ganglion cyst, nerve sheath tumor, enchondroma, or inclusion cyst.

Why is my nailbed grooved?
Mucous cyst.

What causes pain on the side of my wrist behind the thumb?
De Quervain’s tenosynovitis.

Can’t find an answer?

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