More often than not, mild to moderate hand pain can be relieved through conservative methods such as splinting, exercise, over-the-counter medication, heat and cold compresses, or corticosteroid injections. However, when your pain is severe, and these methods fail to provide relief, your hand doctor may recommend surgery.
Here are some of the more pertinent questions you should ask your physician before deciding on this option:
- What surgical procedure are you recommending?
Have your surgeon provide you an explanation of the type of operation, describe the technique used, and explain the reasons why it should be performed. Also, ask the doctor why this specific procedure was chosen instead of other alternatives.
- What is the surgeon’s experience in performing this procedure?
Ask the surgeon how often he or she has performed this kind of surgery and what the outcomes were.
- Why is this procedure necessary at this time?
What is the actual purpose of this operation? Is it being done to relieve pain, or is it to diagnose a condition, correct a deformity, or merely for cosmetic reasons? Does the procedure need to be performed immediately?
- What are my options if I don’t have surgery?
Are there nonsurgical or medical treatments available that can address the condition? What will or might happen if the operation is not performed? Can the procedure be done at a later date? What are the consequences if the operation is postponed?
- If the surgery is done, what is the likely outcome?
In other words, what are the expected or possible benefits of doing the procedure? How likely is it that these benefits will result from the procedure?
- Where will the surgery be performed?
Depending on how complex the procedure is, it may be performed in a hospital operating room or in an outpatient surgical facility located either in a hospital or the surgeon’s medical offices.
- What kind of anesthesia will be used for the procedure?
Will it require a general anesthetic, sedatives or other medication, or can it be performed under local or regional anesthesia? Are there any risks involved?
- What are the associated risks for this type of surgery?
What potential problems or complications might arise and how common are they? If they occur, how can these complications be treated? If hospitalization is required, how long is a typical hospital stay?
- What is the recovery process following this type of surgery?
There are different types of surgery with different wound-recovery times and length of rehabilitation. Therefore, you should know what to expect. Will you need pain control medications? And when can you go back to work and how long will it be until you can resume your normal and recreational activities?
- Is this surgery and any associated costs covered by my insurance plan?
The doctor’s office staff should be able to answer this question. Or you can call your insurer.
If you are experiencing chronic pain in one or both of your hands, selecting a reputable surgeon is one of the best ways to find the relief you need. The staff at Greater Chesapeake Hand to Shoulder is highly skilled at performing hand diagnoses and surgeries – and they’ve helped patients with a wide range of orthopedic issues. For more information, or to schedule a consultation, call (410) 296-6232.
