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CONTACT US FOR A FREE FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS!
For a limited-time only, we are offering a FREE functional analysis
at both our locations.
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Beverly Hills
9301 Wilshire Boulevard
Beverly Hills, California 90210
West Hills
7301 Medical Center Drive
West Hills, California 91307
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INSURANCE & WORKERS' COMPENSATION
ACCEPTED!
We accept most types of insurance
providers and specialize in the treatment of workers'
compensation injuries to the hand and upper extremity. |
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Replantation of Fingers, Hands or Arms
The Replantation Process
Recovery after Surgery
Rehabilitation & Therapy
Emotional Issues
Follow-Up & Additional Surgeries
When a hand surgeon reattaches a severed finger, hand, or arm, the
surgical procedure is more formally known as a replantation. When
the surgery is performed, your hand surgeon will try to give patients
back as much normal use of their finger, hand, or arm as possible.
Not every severed body part can be replanted; sometimes the part is
too badly damaged to be reattached. In that case, a prosthesis
that substitutes for the missing part may be an alternate option.
If the hand surgeon believes that the replanted part will work
at least as well as a prosthesis, replantation is often the better
choice. If the finger, arm, or hand isn't expected to work, or if
it would cause pain or interfere with daily activities, the missing
part will typically not be considered for replantation. The expected
results of the surgery, including how well the replanted part will
work, will be explained by your hand surgeon before the surgery
is complete. The patient will be asked to weigh the expected outcome
against, not only the long and difficult operation a replantation
involves, but also the length of time the patient will be hospitalized
and the months or years it may take to rehabilitate.
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| The Replantation Process |
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Any replantation includes a number of steps, beginning with the careful
removal of all tissue that was damaged when the finger, arm, or hand
was removed. Your hand surgeon will next trim the ends of the bones
and attach pins or plates onto them. These will hold the replanted
part in place and let the tissues heal with the replanted part in
its usual position. Your surgeon will then repair the veins, muscles,
and arteries that were damaged.
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| Recovery after Surgery |
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The patient, after replantation surgery, plays an extremely important
role in the recovery process. For example, the patient can hinder
the recovery process if he or she smokes, thereby contributing to
poor circulation. Other factors play a role as well. For instance,
younger patients have nerves that are more likely to grow back; greater
movement in the replanted part for younger patients, therefore, is
likely.
In all replantation cases, regaining use of the replanted part
depends on how well two types of nerves grow back. The first nerves
are sensory, which provide feeling, and the others are motor nerves,
which tell the muscles how to move. Both types of nerves grow back
at a rate of about an inch a month, so a rough check with a ruler
from the cut to the end of the finger will indicate about how long
it may take for feelings to come back to the fingertip.
The part that is replanted will not regain 100% functionality,
but resuming functionality at 60% to 80% is considered by most surgeons
to be excellent.
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| Rehabilitation and Therapy |
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The first step in rehabilitation is healing from the injury and the
surgery, and temporary braces and therapy are a critical component
of the healing process. The braces enable some movement for the replanted
part, but also protect the tendons while they heal. It's important
to avoid stiff joints by practicing prescribed therapy that facilitates
the maintenance of flexibility, reduction of scar tissue, and activity
in the muscles.
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| Emotional Issues |
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When an individual undergoes replantation of a body part, there are
many different aspects related to their health, that are not just
related to physical factors. For example, the emotional health of
the patient is an integral factor that needs to be carefully attended
to. Shock, disappointment, grief, and anger are some emotions that
patients experience when their bandages are taken off. Patients are
often concerns about how the replanted part will end up looking and
working, and these are all concerns that need to be discussed with
your surgeon. Dealing with these emotional issues is important, and
patients who manage to work through such difficult concerns suggest
that it greatly helps them move on with their lives.
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| Follow-Up & Additional Surgeries |
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Even after a successful replantation, some additional surgery may
be needed as the body and replanted part heal and better use of the
part becomes possible. The more common post-surgery procedures include:
Tenolysis - Surgery to reduce or eliminate scar tissue from
around the tendons
Capsulotomy - Surgery to free up joints that have become stiff
or locked in place
Transfer of Muscles or Tendons - Muscles or tendons may be
moved to a place where they are more needed
Nerve Grafting - Gaps in the nerves or scarred nerves that
work ineffectively may need replacement
Late Amputation - If the replanted part doesn't work, keeps
the hand from working, or causes pain, it may need to be removed.
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