Our hand surgeon will provide you with relief so that you can return to your life.
To see the best hand surgeon in Irvine, contact our office today to schedule your first appointment. This is an important first step in finding relief from any pain or discomfort that you are experiencing.
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- Our doctors work with you to find the best possible solution
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Advice About Your Hand Surgery Consultation
When you have an injury or disorder of the hand, it is important to visit the best hand surgeon in Irvine for orthopedic hand surgery. When you come in, you will have an initial consultation. During your consultation, your doctor will begin by evaluating your overall health status. Your surgeon may ask you about any risk factors that you have, such as high blood pressure or past negative reactions to anesthesia. The surgeon will examine your hand in detail. As a part of the exam, your surgeon may request that you have some imaging studies done. X-rays, CT scans, MRIs and ultrasound tests may be performed in order to generate detailed images of the soft tissues, joints and bones in your hand.
You might also need to have some laboratory tests done to check for anemia, low platelets and other health conditions that could impact your healing. Your doctor will explain the treatment options and the success of the suggested hand surgery. You will also learn about what else you will need to do in order to restore full functioning of your hand, such as exercises, physical therapy or occupational therapy. Be prepared to discuss what medications you take, the vitamins and supplements that you use and other lifestyle factors such as whether or not you are a smoker. These details can help your hand surgeon to prepare you as well as possible for your upcoming procedure.
Questions to Ask Your Hand Surgeon in Irvine
When you come in to see your Irvine hand surgeon, you should ask any questions that you have about your condition, the surgery and your recovery. Some questions that you might want to consider asking your doctor include what treatment options there are for people with your condition, what the typical success rate for the planned surgical procedure is and what you can do in order to facilitate the healing and recovery process. You might also want to ask about any possible complications and how to avoid them, such as avoiding the development of a scar on your hand. It is natural for you to feel some anxiety about surgery, and asking all of the questions that come to mind can help to alleviate your feelings and give you the confidence that you need in order to prepare yourself mentally and physically for the procedure.
Preparing for Hand Surgery
To prepare for your upcoming hand surgery, you may need to come in for some additional lab tests or evaluations. In the week or two leading up to your surgery, your medications might need to be adjusted, such as if you take a blood thinner. You might be instructed to avoid the use of aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications because they can increase your risk of bleeding after the surgery. Your hand surgeon will also advise you about quitting smoking before your surgery if you are a smoker. Smoking reduces your body’s capacity to heal and may slow down your recovery process. You will receive special instructions on what to do on the day of your surgery. For example, you might be instructed to avoid eating after midnight on the day of your procedure. Once you come in to the orthopedic surgical center in Irvine, the medical staff will instruct you about the use of anesthesia for your hand surgery and about your recovery immediately following your procedure. Your doctor will also provide you with advice about getting to and from the surgical center and finding someone to drive you to and from your appointment.
When your doctor provides you with instructions leading up to your surgery, it is very important to follow these carefully. These steps are in place with your health in mind and are designed to help you minimize possible risks and also to encourage healing.
What Happens During a Hand Surgery
During an orthopedic hand surgery, your procedure will begin with the delivery of anesthesia. You might receive an intravenous anesthesia that sedates you, relieves pain and erases any memories of the procedure. A local anesthetic might be another option for your procedure. Your hand surgeon will let you know which one will be used. The surgeon will make the necessary incision and perform the repairs to your hand. Once the surgery is completed internally, your incision will be closed with stitches. Your surgical site will be bandaged. Once the surgery is done, your anesthetic line (if one is used) will be removed and you will be taken to a recovery area where you will wake up. Your doctor will check with you to see how you are feeling. Before you go home, you will be given instructions, a follow-up appointment and any necessary prescriptions.
Recovery from Hand Surgery in Irvine
In the first day or two after hand surgery, you can expect some swelling in your hand. You will likely need to keep the wraps or bandages on, although your post-operative care instructions may offer additional guidance about dressing changes. You might be given a splint to wear at night so that you do not roll onto your hand. It is important that you follow all of the post-operative care instructions given to you by the hand surgeon, including attending all of your follow-up appointments and performing all of the hand exercises.
Be sure to follow all of these steps carefully as well, so that you can heal as quickly as possible from your procedure.
In many cases, your doctor can help to provide you with treatment options without resorting to surgery. And if you do need surgery, your procedure will likely be performed with minimally invasive techniques in order to reduce complications and recovery time.
Contact our office today to schedule an appointment with the best hand surgeon in Irvine.
