When Should We Consult a Hand Surgeon? Interview with Dr. Piperno

Because our hands are involved in many activities, they are constantly exposed to wear, trauma, and strain, especially during daily tasks and sports, which can impair their function and our quality of life.

In this interview, Dr. Alessandro Piperno, orthopedics and traumatology surgeon at UPMC Salvator Mundi International Hospital, offers some advice on how to maintain hand health and when it may become necessary to resort to hand surgery, which nowadays is increasingly performed using minimally invasive techniques.

Dr. Piperno, in What Cases Might Hand Surgery Be Necessary?

Hand surgery is primarily required in two situations: following trauma such as crush injuries, cuts, fractures, or tendon damage, or in the presence of degenerative conditions like arthritis, which particularly affect the most frequently used joints.

Who Consults a Hand Surgeon and What Are the Most Common Conditions in Different Age Groups?

Patients referring to a hand surgeon are more often young people and active adults who have suffered fractures, tendon injuries, or sprains frequently related to sports or work activities. Degenerative conditions like hand arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome are more common in peri-menopausal women due to hormonal factors and progressive joint wear.
Hand surgeons deal with a wide range of disorders, tailoring treatment based on the patient’s age, lifestyle, and condition.

What Warning Signs Should Be Monitored?

It's important to pay attention to any hand pain that does not improve spontaneously neither with rest nor with an initial anti-inflammatory treatment. Fractures or cuts are exceptions, as they cause very acute and immediate symptoms prompting patients to seek care right away. However, milder but persistent pain that tends to last over time should not be underestimated. If the discomfort doesn't disappear in a few days, I would suggest to consult an orthopedic specialist in hand surgery to rule out or treat any underlying conditions.

When Does Surgery Become Necessary?

In trauma cases, surgery is indicated for fractures, cuts, or crushing injuries. Several degenerative conditions also require surgical treatment, such as arthritis, the aforementioned rhizarthrosis, and wrist conditions like pancarpal arthritis or injuries to the triangular fibrocartilage complex.

What Are the Advantages of Microsurgery in Treating Hand Conditions?

Microsurgery is a fundamental support in hand surgery: it allows precise visualization of very small structures that are difficult to distinguish with the naked eye, enabling highly targeted intervention through minimally invasive approaches. This technique reduces the impact of the surgery and allows patients to recover more quickly, with less pain and shorter healing times.

Learn more about the Orthopedics and Traumatology services at UPMC Salvator Mundi International Hospital and book an appointment with one of our specialists today.