Arthritis of the hands is a common condition with symptoms that may range from mild to severe and debilitating in different patients. Hand arthritis treatment may involve non-surgical treatments as well as hand surgery and cosmetic surgery in extreme cases.
Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Asaf Yalif has received specialized training in hand surgery. Dr. Yalif’s expertise in treatment of joint, soft tissue and bone-related conditions of the hands and upper extremity make him one of the sought-after surgeons for hand arthritis treatment in Atlanta, Roswell, Woodstock, and surrounding communities.
What is Arthritis of the Hand?
Arthritis can affect any joint in the body. Hand arthritis can be particularly problematic because it adversely affects of the joints of the thumb, fingers, wrist or elbow due to the constant movement of the hand as a part of a regular day’s activity. This condition can severely hamper the patient’s quality of life because they will experience pain while performing basic activities involving the hands, and may have to limit their range of hand related activities to avoid pain and discomfort.
If hand arthritis has progressed to a level where hand or plastic surgery is required to get rid of pain and restore a healthy range of motion, it is important to choose an experienced and qualified hand surgeon. Dr. Yalif is a leading hand and cosmetic surgeon with advanced expertise in treating arthritis of the complex and delicate joints of the hand. He receives patients from Atlanta, Roswell, Woodstock, and nearby areas.
Treatment Options
The first line of defense against the bone and cartilage degeneration caused due to hand arthritis is usually non-surgical. It will include administering of pain medications, lifestyle alterations, and stopping further decline through oral or injectable medications such as anti-inflammatories and steroids. Physical therapy, splinting, and immobilization are also effective non-surgical solutions.
Surgery may be the only option if the hand joints have suffered severe damage or the arthritis is no longer responding to non-surgical treatments. The most appropriate surgical plan according to the patient’s unique condition will be prepared. The surgeon will take into account the type of hand arthritis and the patient’s medical history.
Surgical Treatment Approach
The surgeon will create a customized surgical treatment approach to optimize the chances of sustainable relief and restore normalcy of the hand function as far as possible. At the same time, the surgeon will ensure that the risk of complications remains low and recovery time is reduced.
Experienced surgeons are adopting cutting edge, minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques to achieve targeted results in hand surgery. The small, complex structures of the hand can be treated very effectively with these techniques. However, if the patient suffers from severe joint damage and cartilage degeneration, the surgeon will recommend traditional ‘open’ surgery to achieve good results.
Surgical options in case of hand arthritis primarily come under one of these four key categories: cartilage repair and regeneration, joint reconstruction, joint fusion, and joint replacement. If the cause of arthritis is a specific disease, a more specific surgical solution may be advised.
For more information about the plastic surgery procedures and treatments performed by Cosmetic Surgeon Dr. Asaf Yalif please call us at 404.822.4402 or click here to schedule a consultation. Offices located in Atlanta, Roswell, and Woodstock, Georgia.
