Hand and Wrist Surgery

State-of-the-Art Techniques for Hand and Wrist Surgery

Loyola Medicine’s board-certified surgeons use state-of-the-art medical and surgical techniques to repair a range of problems of the hand, wrist and forearm. With hand and wrist surgery, Loyola’s orthopaedic surgeons are committed to eliminating all symptoms that lead to your discomfort, pain and restricted movement.

If you are experiencing hand or wrist pain, Loyola’s specialists will consider surgery only if non-surgical techniques—like medications or focused exercises—are not providing relief. If this is the case, Loyola’s team of orthopaedic specialists are experienced in all types of advanced hand, wrist and forearm surgery, including:

Our multidisciplinary team brings together the expertise of orthopaedic surgeons, advanced practice nurses, physician assistants, physiatrists, podiatrists, trainers and physical and occupational therapists to provide you the best possible care.

Why Choose Loyola for Hand and Wrist Surgery?

Loyola’s fellowship-trained hand and wrist surgeons use a variety of non-surgical options to treat hand and wrist pain and injuries, including bracing or splinting, medication, activity changes and steroid injections. Surgery may be recommended by your surgeon when other options will not work or have failed. If surgery is required, Loyola’s experienced, multidisciplinary team will provide the most advanced care for your particular case.

Loyola’s orthopaedic surgeons have vast experience performing hand and wrist surgeries for pediatric, adult and geriatric patients and will recommend the best, least invasive treatment possible for your condition.

Your Loyola healthcare team will carefully explain any recommended surgical procedure to you prior to surgery, including risks, recovery and physical therapy following surgery. Loyola’s skilled physical and occupational therapists specialize in hand and wrist therapy and will help you return to your normal activities as quickly as possible.

What Conditions are Treated with Hand and Wrist Surgery?

The orthopaedic surgeons on Loyola’s hand surgery team treat the full range of problems that cause pain and limit motion in the hands and wrists, including:

What to Expect with Hand and Wrist Surgery

At Loyola, hand and wrist surgeries are performed by experienced orthopaedic surgeons and/or plastic surgeons. Hand or wrist surgery is usually performed under regional anesthesia, with an injection in the arm or upper chest to numb the area being treated. In some cases, general anesthesia is used.

Recovery may take place at home or at the hospital, depending on how extensive your surgery is. Following an endoscopic surgery, patients usually do not have to stay in the hospital and can return home on the same day. The length of the surgery will depend on a number of factors, including your condition and the type of surgery you are having.

After surgery, you may experience pain for a few hours or up to several days. Avoid heavy lifting for a period of a few weeks. Your Loyola healthcare team will take great care to manage your pain after surgery.

You will begin physical therapy the day after surgery to ensure a full recovery in the use of your hand and wrist. Our experienced therapists focus on problems of the hand and wrist and offer a full range of physical therapy treatments for hand and wrist pain, injuries and post-surgical trauma. Learn more about hand therapy.

What are the Risks of Hand and Wrist Surgery?

Your Loyola doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of any treatment plan with you. The most common risks of hand or wrist surgery include bleeding, infection and nerve injury. Some patients experience skin discoloration, minor scarring and swelling.

Loyola’s orthopaedic surgeons are highly skilled and are recognized for superior patient outcomes and will work to prevent any surgical complications.