Op-Ed by Dr. Andrew Boone,
Orthopaedic Surgery, One Brooklyn Health
The biggest misconception that I see regarding hand problems is that everyone assumes they need a surgery. The fact is that most problems in the hand can actually be managed without surgery. Whether that involves therapy, splinting, bracing, anti-inflammatory medications, or if needed, steroid injections—all of these options can treat problems in the upper extremity.
I think a lot of the time, people are busy or have other priorities, and so they put off taking care of their hands. Sometimes patients even minimize the issues as they think these issues are normal or, perhaps, part of aging. There is certainly a natural anxiety about having pain with the hands or functional limitations, which can make patients afraid to come to the doctor, but it’s important to understand that these conditions are manageable and often curable.
Carpal tunnel syndrome and trigger finger issues happen to be the most common problems that I see in the clinic. However, I never recommend surgery immediately for these issues. These problems can always be treated conservatively at first, whether that is bracing or steroid injections. I always recommend the simplest, least invasive option first. If these problems continue to persist despite the conservative measures, then I offer surgery as a last resort.
There are other issues, such as certain fractures of the hand and the wrist, which do not do well with conservative management. In those particular cases and depending on which bones are broken, I may recommend a surgery from the beginning. It always depends on the person and the specific problem, but everything is a case by case basis.
There are minimally invasive options. For various soft tissue problems, surgeries can be performed through small incisions. A good example is endoscopic carpal tunnel release surgery—using small incisions and looking with a camera to address problems with the carpal tunnel. Similar procedures using a camera to look into the wrist joint (arthroscopic surgery) can be performed to address problems with the wrist through small incisions. Again, it depends on the specific patient problem, but many issues can be treated through less invasive procedures.
It’s always better to address problems sooner rather than later. When patients come in too late, certain treatment options may not be as effective because of disease progression. Whereas, earlier in the disease process there may be more options available—especially nonsurgical options or options that are less invasive.
Depending on the issue, recovery can be as quick as 2 weeks for certain soft tissue surgeries, waiting on the skin to heal in order to remove stitches. Conversely, some issues may take up to 3 to 6 months to recover and get full motion and function back, like for instance, recovering from a fracture of the wrist. It all depends on the patient and the problem.
We treat all sort of problems from arthritis to nerve injuries to acute fractures in the upper extremity. We have numerous doctors that treat these problems—from the hand and wrist all the way up to the shoulder. These doctors are readily available to see you in clinic to discuss, educate, and provide treatment options.
Seeing a doctor is always anxiety provoking, and it’s understandable why people put off these issues. I think it’s important for people to realize that there are options for treating pain and problems with the hand, and people do not have to live in pain or discomfort on a daily basis.
If you are experiencing pain, discomfort, or concerns with your hand or wrist, you don’t have to wait to seek care. Feel free to come see us. At One Brooklyn Health, our Department of Orthopedic Surgery is committed to evaluating and treating a wide range of hand and wrist conditions with personalized care and a full spectrum of treatment options.
Our vision at One Brooklyn Health is to be the trusted healthcare partner for our patients, empowered by a unified workforce with a shared commitment to advancing care. That also means correcting misconceptions about hand surgery and ensuring patients understand that many conditions can be treated without surgery.
A healthier you starts here. Visit onebrooklynhealth.org to learn more or find an orthopedic specialist at our different locations across Brooklyn.