Is Hand Reconstruction Painful?

Mild to severe pain may be expected after many types of hand surgeries. Pain medications may be given to help alleviate the discomfort.

How Many Appointments Will I Need?

Patients should expect several follow-up appointments after their initial consultation. The exact number of appointments will depend on the complexity of their case and healing profile. After surgery, Dr. Slocum will have them return to the practice a week after the surgery to remove any sutures if needed and to monitor recovery. Further, there might be regular physical therapy sessions to monitor progress and adjust treatment as needed.

How Long Until I See Results?

The time to see results will depend on the type of surgery used for your hand reconstruction. You can expect to regain some function within a few weeks, but it can take months to a full year to regain full movement and strength.

Can I Combine Hand Reconstruction With Other Procedures?

Patients are encouraged to share any ideas about combined procedures with Dr. Slocum during their initial consultation so that he can best advise them. Hand reconstruction in Portsmouth can already be an intricate and sensitive procedure, so the combination of further procedures is entirely dependent on the complexity of the patient’s case.

What Are the Risks Associated With Hand Reconstruction?

Hand reconstruction surgery has associated risks that patients should familiarize themselves with before scheduling their surgery. These include but are not limited to: Bleeding Blood clots Incomplete healing Infection Loss of movement Nerve damage Permanent microvascular damage If you are experiencing any of these side effects or anything else of concern related to your hand reconstruction, please contact us at Seacoast Plastic Surgery and Aesthetic Medicine at your earliest so that we may help.

Portsmouth, NH

Hand Reconstruction

Introduction to Hand Reconstruction

Trauma, disease, infection, or genetics can be some of the factors that can affect the structure and function of our hands. The hindrance of using these upper extremities is severely limiting to a normal quality of life. Thankfully, many options for hand reconstruction are available to help restore the functionality, strength, and appearance of a hand. If you are looking to repair

damaged bones, joints, tendons, nerves, or tissues to improve your hand’s functionality, strength, and appearance, please learn more about hand reconstruction in Portsmouth, Boston, and the greater New England area with board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Alex Slocum of Seacoast Plastic Surgery and Aesthetic Medicine. Keep reading below to learn more about hand reconstruction surgery.

A woman in a black bikini leans against rocks by the ocean, bathed in soft, golden sunlight, smiling gently with her hand resting near her chin - Scar Removal in Portsmouth, NH

Achieve a Balanced, Refined Look

What is Hand Reconstruction?

Hand reconstruction is a broad term that includes different types of hand surgery performed to relieve pain and difficulties in the function and appearance of the hand. This procedure aims to improve the structure, function, and appearance of the most useful upper extremity of the human body.

There are several types of hand reconstruction surgeries:

Microvascular surgery: To repair nerves and blood vessels.
Nerve reconstruction: To repair nerve sensation and motor function
Tendon repair: To repair damaged tendons.
Joint replacement: To replace or reconstruct damaged joints.
Soft tissue reconstruction: To repair wounds like burn injuries using skin grafts and flap transfers.
Polydactyly correction: To remove extra fingers and thumbs.
Fixation: To repair or realign broken bones or joints.
Fasciotomy: To remove fascia tissue in the palm.
Replantation: To rejoin a severed finger or hand.
Osteotomy: To remove or fuse bones to correct bone deformities.

What Are the Benefits of Hand Reconstruction?

Our patients who have received hand reconstruction surgery in Portsmouth, Boston, and the greater New England area have shared their functionality’s long-lasting benefits and relief. Some other benefits include:

Better mobility
Better strength in hand
Boost in self-esteem
Improved appearance
Long-lasting results
Pain relief
Restoration of hand function
Restoration of hand structure

Who Are the Best Candidates For Hand Reconstruction?

The best candidates for hand reconstruction surgery in Portsmouth, Boston, and the greater New England area will be those who want to restore their hands’ structure, appearance, or functionality. Ideal candidates will have some of the following characteristics:

Bone fractures
Burn injury
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Dupuytren’s contracture
Joint osteoarthritis
Maintain realistic expectations
Non-smoker
Polydactyly
Rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis
Tendon disorders like trigger finger

Let’s Get Started

What’s The
First Step?

The first step in getting a hand reconstruction in Portsmouth, Boston, and the greater New England area is to schedule a one-on-one consultation with board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Alexander Slocum at Seacoast Plastic Surgery and Aesthetic Medicine.

Dr. Slocum will discuss your medical history, aesthetic and functional goals, concerns, and expectations during your appointment. He will also want to know the history of your hand function and the reasons for its current state.

As he carries out a physical exam of your hands to determine the best technique for you, he will outline the various techniques available with their associated risks, benefits, and recovery profiles to help you determine the best way forward for your goals. Sometimes, it is a combination of techniques that are recommended to you. Either way, Dr. Slocum will explain what you can expect during and after the procedure so that you are better prepared and can manage your expectations.

Once you both agree on which technique to use, Dr. Slocum will design your surgical plan, which you can then take to the patient coordinator for pricing and scheduling options.

What to Expect on the Day of Hand Reconstruction Surgery

On the day of your hand reconstruction surgery in Portsmouth at Seacoast Plastic Surgery and Aesthetic Medicine, Dr. Slocum and his staff will receive you and get you settled in the state-of-the-art surgical suite. They will review your surgical plan to ensure you are fully comfortable with it. Once you are good to go, a board-certified anesthesiologist will administer anesthesia to keep you pain-free throughout the procedure.

The specific procedure will depend on the type of surgery that you and Dr. Slocum considered was the best match for your condition.

Once you are numb and/or sedated, Dr. Slocum will make an incision in your hand. Once he has access to the underlying tissues, he will start manipulating the target elements to achieve the desired hand goals.

Once he is satisfied with the structure and movement of the hand, Dr. Slocum will close the incision with either removable or dissolvable sutures. He might also put a plaster splint to minimize your hand’s movement during recovery.

Hand Reconstruction Recovery

Once your hand reconstruction surgery is completed, our staff will monitor you in the recovery room until sedation wears off. Patients are recommended to have a family member or friend drive them home.

You may need to wear a plastic hand splint at home for up to 6 weeks. For the 2 weeks after that, you’ll only wear it overnight. Dr. Slocum recommends keeping the hand elevated and managing any discomfort with pain medication.

The recovery time after hand reconstruction surgery depends on the type of surgery. It is recommended that patients avoid strenuous exercise for this entire time. A lot of recovery from function might require physical therapy.

It may take a year to recover your hand’s function for microsurgery procedures fully. For some tendon repair surgeries, it may take about 12 weeks to regain strength and up to 6 months before a full range of movement returns.

To avoid injuries, you should get approval from your medical team before returning to your previous activities.

Fair & Transparent Pricing

How Much Does Hand Reconstruction Cost in Boston or New Hampshire?

The cost of Hand Reconstruction in Portsmouth, Boston, and the greater New England area will depend on the complexity of the procedure and other factors, such as Dr. Slocum’s fees. The best way to figure out your cost estimate is to schedule your consultation with Dr. Slocum so that he can draft your surgical plan, which you can then take to the patient concierge for pricing information.

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SPS Expertise

Why Choose Dr. Slocum?

Alexander Slocum, Jr, MD/PhD, FACS, is a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon with years of research and medical experience behind him. He founded Seacoast Plastic Surgery and Aesthetic Medicine to reflect the excellence in patient care and rejuvenation that he has always championed. Your hand reconstruction surgery in Portsmouth is sure to be in the hands of excellence should you choose Seacoast Plastic Surgery and Aesthetic Medicine.

A New Hampshire native, Dr Slocum obtained his bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in mechanical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). His PhD thesis was on the design of a rolling-contact knee joint, and he holds several patents related to machine and medical device design. He attended medical school at the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine at Marshall University, West Virginia, and then returned to New England to complete a general surgery internship at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. Following his internship, Dr Slocum moved to Wisconsin, where he graduated with an integrated plastic surgery residency.

Dr. Slocum is a member of the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS), the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), and the American College of Surgeons (FACS).

Hand Reconstruction FAQ’S

Patients should expect several follow-up appointments after their initial consultation. The exact number of appointments will depend on the complexity of their case and healing profile.

After surgery, Dr. Slocum will have them return to the practice a week after the surgery to remove any sutures if needed and to monitor recovery. Further, there might be regular physical therapy sessions to monitor progress and adjust treatment as needed.
Hand reconstruction surgery has associated risks that patients should familiarize themselves with before scheduling their surgery. These include but are not limited to:
- Bleeding
- Blood clots
- Incomplete healing
- Infection
- Loss of movement
- Nerve damage
- Permanent microvascular damage
If you are experiencing any of these side effects or anything else of concern related to your hand reconstruction, please contact us at Seacoast Plastic Surgery and Aesthetic Medicine at your earliest so that we may help.

Schedule a consultation

Your Seacoast Journey Starts Here

If you are dealing with limited functionality of your hand and any pain or damage, consider learning more about hand reconstruction in Portsmouth, Boston, and the greater New England area at Seacoast Plastic Surgery and Aesthetic Medicine. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Alex Slocum.

Schedule a Consultation