Fractures / Dislocations
Who Is a Good Candidate?
In many cases, a doctor will be able to fix a hand fracture or dislocation by setting the affected bone and then holding it in place with a splint or a cast. However, in more severe cases, plastic surgery may be required. With either case, it’s vital that you have your hand evaluated so that your doctor can provide you with the treatment options that will work best for you. We recommend seeking an evaluation for potential hand fracture if you exhibit these symptoms:
Stiffness in the hand
Loss of movement
Pain that doesn’t go away
Swelling in the hand
Depressed knuckle
An obvious deformity in the hand
Once your hand has been evaluated, your doctor may suggest plastic surgery to ensure that your hand heals correctly, especially if the fracture involves shattered bones or an awkward break. At The Vu Center, we specialize in a few different types of hand fractures, including:
- Non-displaced – When the bone cracks or breaks but stays aligned in place
- Displaced – When the ends of the broken bone are separated and not aligned
- Comminuted – When the bone is broken in multiple places
- Open fractures – When the bone has broken through the skin and is exposed
If you have questions about your hand fracture or you would like to schedule a consultation with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons, don’t hesitate to reach out to The Vu Center in Portland today!
Before Surgery
As mentioned earlier, the first thing you will need to do if you suspect that your hand is fractured is to have it evaluated. Depending on your evaluation, you may need to seek help from a specialist, such as the ones at The Vu Center. Should you need assistance or surgery from a hand specialist, you will need to schedule a consultation where one of our surgeons will be able to evaluate your hand once more and devise a proper treatment plan. You may also ask questions about your surgery during the consultation to ensure that you are completely comfortable and informed about what to expect. At the end of your consultation, our surgeon will schedule a date for your surgery and provide you with a list of pre-op instructions that you should follow to reduce the risk of complications during or after your procedure.
The Procedure
Your surgeon will use the consultation to determine the right course of action for your treatment. At The Vu Center, we can treat hand fractures and dislocations with immobilization or surgery depending on the type of break or dislocation.
If your surgeon determines that immobilization is the right treatment option for you, they will use a cast, splint, or buddy taping to keep the area of the break stable while it heals. If your surgeon decides that you need surgery, your surgeon may perform either an open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) or percutaneous pinning to secure the bone. Depending on which option they choose, your surgeon will provide you with more details about your treatment method during your consultation.
Schedule a Consultation
At The Vu Center in Portland, we’re proud to be your go-to plastic surgery clinic for a variety of surgical procedures, as well as hand fractures and dislocations. Our board-certified surgeon, Dr. Kim Chi Vu, MD. specializes in hand surgery, and she can provide you with the assistance you need to heal your fracture or dislocation and help your hand function properly once more. To learn about the hand procedures we offer or to schedule a consultation, reach out to The Vu Center in Portland today.
We look forward to working with you!