HAND SURGERY Hand surgery is a specialty of its own in Singapore. The training in Singapore requires the Hand Surgeon to have direct training in microvascular surgery and hand surgery. The training period after the basic surgical training is 4 years. The trainee is expected to have an orthopedic and /or plastic surgery training as an elective training. In countries like the USA and the UK, Hand Surgery is practiced by Plastic or Orthopedic surgeons who have special interests in Hand Surgery.

Common Procedures in Hand Surgery

• Emergency treatment of minor and major hand injuries e.g. replantation surgery
• Arthritis treatment, e.g. joint reconstruction
• Wrist pain and injuries
• Sports and work related injuries
• Reconstruction of birth defects e.g. reconstruction of thumb duplication
• Removal of cysts, tumors and skin lesions
• Treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome and other nerve compression syndrome
• Repetitive stress injuries (Cumulative Trauma Disorder)
• Scar removal or revision
• Prosthetics
• Microsurgical reconstructions e.g. toe to thumb transfer and resurfacing of skin loss
• Treatment of diseases that affect the upper extremities
• Nerve injury and restoration of upper extremity joint function following disabling injuries including brachial plexus injuries

Common Symptoms of Hand Problems

• Congenital hand deformity e.g., two or more fingers are fused together or joined by webbing; an extra finger
• Infections from injury to the nail and deeper infections that often result from human or animal bites
• Tumors on the hand
• Tingling or aching sensations, numbness, and a loss of function in the hand.

Articles 

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome