Nerves are essential for receiving sensory information and carrying impulses that control the muscles and allow for proper movement. When an accident or trauma results in nerve damage to the hands, people may experience problems with their sense of touch, as well as issues controlling their hands and fingers. Those in the greater Atlanta, GA area that experience nerve damage and injuries can count on Dr. Steven Bailey at The Hand Center at Crawford Plastic Surgery to help restore feeling and function.
What Are Nerve Injuries to the Hands?
Nerve injuries to the hand cover a broad range of injuries that result in changes to sensation and muscle control. Many kinds of trauma can affect the nerves of the hands. The nerves in different parts of the hand can be damaged as well, such as nerves in the wrists, palms, and fingers.
Sometimes the affected nerve is not severed or damaged but rather compressed. These pinched nerves may occur in the hand, wrist, or arm.
Symptoms of Nerve Injuries to the Hands
Some of the most common symptoms of hand nerve damage include:
- Loss of sensation
- Weakness in the hand or fingers
- Twitching in the affected part of the hand
- Burning or tingling sensations
- Pain in the wrists, hands, or fingers
- Numbness in the hand or fingers
- Changes in hand or finger position
- Paralysis of the hand
Causes of Nerve Injuries to the Hands
Many kinds of injuries can result in nerve damage to the hands. This includes any of the following examples of trauma:
- Cuts
- Crushing
- Blunt trauma
- Burns
- Overstretching
- Repetitive stress
Hand Nerve Injury Diagnosis
When diagnosing nerve damage, we carefully consider the patient's medical history as well as the nature of the injury. X-rays are taken to note any related or additional injuries that are the cause or contributing factor to the nerve damage. Conduction tests are often used to determine how well signals are transmitted through a person's nerves. An MRI scan may also be used to note the nature of the nerve damage.
Treatment of Nerve Injuries to the Hands
Treatment of nerve damage can be tricky in that certain nerve injuries cannot be repaired. The nature of the nerve injury often determines the ideal method of treatment.
For mild nerve injuries, the affected nerves will eventually repair and heal on their own, though this can take time. Various forms of non-surgical treatment can be used to help reduce the severity of nerve injury symptoms.
For more serious nerve injuries, surgery can be performed to potentially repair the damaged nerves. This involves reattachment of severed nerves in an attempt to restore some amount of feeling and muscle control to the fingers, hands, and wrists.
Recovery after Nerve Damage Surgery
After undergoing surgery to reattach nerves, patients need to get ample rest and avoid strenuous physical activity. Patients should avoid placing stress on the treated hand as this can impact recovery. Follow up visits with the surgeon should be attended as scheduled. Physical therapy will likely be required to help restore strength and mobility to the fingers and hands following the operation.
Contact The Hand Center at Crawford Plastic Surgery to learn more about nerve injuries to the hands and the treatment options available.