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Hand Surgery

Hand surgery covers the treatment of injuries to the hand, wrist and forearm (tendon, nerve and blood vessel injuries, tissue loss, finger amputations) as well as non-injury conditions (carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, Dupuytren’s contracture, ganglion cysts, congenital hand anomalies). In hand injuries, early treatment and the right rehabilitation after surgery are the most important conditions for regaining hand function.

What Does Hand Surgery Cover?

Hand, wrist and forearm conditions

Hand surgery covers many conditions in the hand, wrist and forearm that cause pain, deformity and limited movement affecting daily life. Problems in the bones, joints, subcutaneous tissues and soft tissues of this area fall within the scope of hand surgery.

  • Congenital hand and finger anomalies

  • Nerve compression: carpal tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome

  • Tendon and joint-related conditions: trigger finger, De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, ganglion cyst, Dupuytren’s contracture

  • Circulation problems: Raynaud’s disease

 

Injuries after trauma

After an accident, a fall or a cut or puncture injury, the tissues of the hand and wrist can be affected at different levels, such as fractures, dislocations, tendon cuts or nerve damage. Hand surgery repairs the tissues according to their anatomy after trauma, aiming both to restore function and to achieve the best possible appearance.

  • Bone and joint injuries such as fractures and dislocations

  • Soft tissue repair after cuts and injuries

  • Repair of tendon and nerve injuries and a rehabilitation plan after repair

  • Restoring circulation after blood vessel injuries

  • Replantation after amputation

  • Surgery for the after-effects of trauma (permanent deformity/stiffness)

  • Reconstruction and hand rehabilitation after burns

Initial Assessment in Hand Surgery

The hand is a complex, dynamic system in which tissues of different structures work together. Injuries can range from simple cuts to amputations, with different levels of functional loss. In general, hand injuries are assessed with:

  • Circulation examination: shows blood vessel injuries and circulation problems.

  • Sensory examination: shows a nerve cut or compression.

  • Movement examination: shows tendon and nerve damage.

  • Imaging (X-ray or MRI): shows fractures, dislocations and soft tissue damage.

  • EMG: shows the degree of nerve damage.

 

 

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Hand Injuries

Hand injuries can result in simple tissue loss, isolated tendon, blood vessel or nerve cuts, bone injuries, or complex injuries in which all of these occur together.

Tissue loss in the hand and fingers

The most suitable closure method is planned according to the size and depth of the tissue loss (skin, subcutaneous tissue, tendon or bone level) and the location of the wound; the aim is to preserve both function and appearance. Commonly used methods:

  • Graft (skin graft)

  • Local flaps: V-Y flap, cross-finger flap, Moberg flap, thenar flap, island flaps

  • Regional flaps: perforator flaps, tissue transfer from the wrist and forearm

  • Distant flaps: pedicled flaps from the abdomen or chest, or free flaps

 

Tendon injuries

The approach to tendon injuries depends on whether the tendons on the palm side (flexor tendons) or the back of the hand (extensor tendons) are affected. Basic principles:

  • Early treatment

  • End-to-end repair

  • A splint to support function

  • A careful rehabilitation process

  • The type and level of the injury, the number of tendons affected and how well you follow the treatment affect the result

  • Risks: re-rupture, adhesions, limited function

 

Nerve injuries

Nerves directly control sensation in the fingers and muscle strength and movement. That is why nerve injuries can show up as numbness, tingling, loss of sensation, weakness and sometimes limited finger movement. A nerve injury can be detected during the examination or seen in an open wound. In late cases, an EMG may be done. Surgical approach and recovery:

  • Early treatment (important for a tension-free repair)

  • End-to-end, tension-free nerve repair (microsurgical techniques)

  • Repair with a nerve graft if there is a gap or tension between the nerve ends

  • Proper hand rehabilitation after surgery

  • Because a nerve heals by growing about 1 mm a day, sensation and movement return gradually over weeks to months.

  • The type of injury, the time before repair (delay) and the level of the damage affect the result

  • Risks: incomplete recovery of function, sensory changes (numbness, hypersensitivity)

Vascular injuries

Blood vessels supply the tissues of the fingers and hand. That is why it is important to be evaluated without delay if a blood vessel injury is suspected; if circulation is impaired, the risk of tissue loss increases. Blood vessel injuries should therefore be treated quickly:

  • End-to-end repair of the vessels with microsurgical techniques (restoring circulation)

  • Repair with a vein graft if a tension-free repair is not possible

  • Planning a splint and rehabilitation to support healing

  • Re-evaluation and revision if circulation is not restored

Complex hand injuries

High-energy trauma generally causes complex hand injuries in which bones, blood vessels, nerves and tendons are affected together. In this case, the tissues are treated in order:

  • If there is a fracture or dislocation, it is treated first and the skeleton is stabilized.

  • Tendon repair

  • Circulation is restored (blood vessel repair should be done as quickly as possible)

  • Nerve repair

  • Reconstruction if there is soft tissue loss

  • A splint to support the repairs

V-Y application on fingertips
hand splint for tendon injuries
microsurgical nerve repair
Mikrocerrahi yöntemle damar onarımının aşamaları
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First Aid for Hand Injuries

  • First, the cause of the injury should be removed:

  • Especially in work accidents, the machinery should be stopped.

  • In crush or entrapment injuries, the hand should be freed without damaging the healthy tissues.

  • If the wound is dirty, it can be rinsed with clean water. Objects stuck in the wound should not be removed.

  • Jewelry such as rings, watches and bracelets should be removed immediately, before swelling starts.

  • If there is bleeding, apply pressure by wrapping a clean cloth over the wound.

  • Most bleeding from hand injuries can be stopped by applying direct pressure to the wound and raising the hand above heart level. A tourniquet should only be used for life-threatening bleeding that does not stop with pressure; the time it was applied should be noted, and it should not be loosened until you reach the hospital.

  • If a part has been amputated:

  • The amputated part should be rinsed with clean water, wrapped in a damp, clean cloth and placed in a bag.

  • This package should be placed in another bag filled with ice and transported.

  • One of the biggest mistakes when transporting an amputated part is letting ice touch the tissue directly.

  • For hand injuries, you should always see a doctor quickly. Early surgery is more successful, especially for arterial injuries that cause circulation problems.

Non-Injury Hand Surgery

Dupuytren's contracture

Dupuytren’s contracture is a condition in which the connective tissue in the palm thickens and contracts, pulling the fingers, especially the ring and little fingers, inwards and making them hard to straighten. Over time, it can reduce grip strength, make daily activities difficult and cause permanent stiffness in the finger joints. Early evaluation and proper treatment planning help preserve hand function; in advanced cases, surgery is needed.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition caused by compression of the median nerve within the carpal tunnel at the wrist. It usually causes numbness, tingling and sometimes pain in the thumb, index and middle fingers and half of the ring finger; symptoms often get worse at night and can affect grip strength. Early, accurate evaluation and a proper treatment plan help relieve pressure on the nerve; in advanced cases, surgical options may be considered.

What is trigger finger?

Trigger finger is a condition in which a finger catches and feels “locked” when bending and straightening. It is usually caused by thickening or irritation of the tendon sheath at the base of the finger, so the finger does not move smoothly; stiffness, pain and, over time, difficulty straightening the finger may occur. In the early stages, conservative methods such as rest, a splint/orthosis and, if the doctor considers it appropriate, a corticosteroid injection may be preferred. In persistent or advanced cases, a surgical release can be performed to open the structure that traps the tendon in its sheath.

Congenital hand anomalies

Congenital anomalies of the hand and fingers are treated surgically within hand surgery. Syndactyly, polydactyly, camptodactyly and thumb duplication are the most common hand anomalies. The timing and plan of treatment are decided according to the child’s general health, the level and extent of the anomaly, and how much the deformity affects hand function.

Tumors of the hand

What is a ganglion cyst?

Tumors found in the hand are mostly benign. The most common is a ganglion cyst.

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Tumors of the hand are mostly benign. The most common is the ganglion cyst.

A ganglion cyst is a usually benign, fluid-filled cyst that can form on the wrist or hand. It may be noticed as a swelling; sometimes it can cause pain, affect movement or, depending on its location, press on nerves and blood vessels. Its size can change over time. Treatment options include steroid injections, needle aspiration or surgery. The risk of recurrence after needle aspiration is high; when the cyst is surgically removed together with its root, this risk is significantly reduced.

Other tumors of the hand

Epidermal inclusion cysts, lipomas, giant cell tumors of the tendon sheath, neuromas, fibromas and nail bed tumors are other benign tumors. Skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma can also occur on the hand. Treatment is planned according to the location and size of the mass and the functions affected.
→ Details: Skin tumors

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

When should I seek urgent hand surgery care?

If, after an injury, there is a deformity of the fingers, limited movement, numbness or loss of sensation, severe pain, suspected circulation problems or a wound that does not close, a hand surgery evaluation is needed.

How long does nerve repair take, and when does recovery start?

Recovery varies from person to person. Because nerve fibers heal slowly, improvement in sensation and function can be seen gradually over weeks to months.

Do blood vessel injuries need urgent treatment?

Yes, if a circulation problem is suspected, an evaluation should be done without delay. Timely surgical planning may be needed to prevent tissue loss.

Is hand rehabilitation necessary after surgery?

After many hand surgeries, a hand therapy/exercise program is important to speed up recovery and preserve range of motion.

When is surgery needed for carpal tunnel syndrome?

Surgery is recommended if symptoms continue despite treatments such as splints and medication, if weakness in the hand or wasting of the muscles at the base of the thumb has started, or if the EMG shows significant nerve damage. The surgery is usually performed under local anesthesia and takes a short time.

How should an amputated finger be transported?

The amputated part should be rinsed with clean water, wrapped in a damp, clean cloth and placed in a bag. This bag should be placed in a second bag containing ice water. Ice should not touch the part directly.

Cost and Insurance

The cost of hand surgery depends on the diagnosis, the extent of the surgery, the type of anesthesia and the hospital where the surgery will be performed. For this reason, the exact cost is given after the consultation and any necessary tests, together with your personalized treatment plan. Because treatments such as carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, tendon injuries, ganglion cysts and Dupuytren’s disease are medically necessary, they may be covered by private health insurance in many cases. In this case, your insurer may cover part or all of the cost. If you have insurance in your home country, we recommend checking with your insurer before the consultation whether your policy covers this treatment in Türkiye.

Information and Booking

An injury to your hand, or a complaint that makes daily tasks difficult, can affect your life much more than you might think. At the consultation, we evaluate your hand in detail and plan the most suitable treatment and recovery process together. If you live abroad, this also helps us plan your trip and your stay in Türkiye.

Bu sayfa Op. Dr. Nurgül Altuntaş tarafından hazırlanmış ve kontrol edilmiştir. 

Son güncelleme: Kasım 2026

CONTACT

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+90 505 799 29 98

Phone number
+90 262 331 61 61

e-mail
bilgi@nurgulaltuntas.com

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HOSPITALS​
Anadolu Medical Center
Özel Atakent Cihan Hospital

ADDRESS
​Körfez Mah. Ankara Karayolu St. No:123/2, Floor 2, Izmit / Kocaeli, Türkiye

This site has been prepared by  Op.Dr.Nurgül Altuntaş for informational purposes. The information given here is not a substitute for a doctor's examination and cannot be used for prescription or treatment purposes.

Since treatment recommendations will vary from person to person, it is recommended that you consult your doctor to learn about the appropriate treatment.

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