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The cost of hand or finger fracture repair surgery can widely vary. Drs. Azouz will determine the cost of surgery through a medical history and physical examination. Many workers compensations carries consider this surgery medically necessary, but the surgery cost is also heavily dependent on the deductible and coverage policy.
Hand Fractures: Dallas Plastic and Hand Surgeons Dr. David and Solomon Azouz Offer treatment of fractures of the hand and fingers
Dallas Plastic and Hand Surgeon Dr. David and Solomon Azouz review fractures of the hand and fingers:
symptoms, surgical, non-surgical treatment, cost, insurance, and recovery.
What are fractures of the hand and fingers?
Hand fractures are broken bones usually resulting from a traumatic injury. There are 27 bones in the hand. There are 8 wrist bones (carpal bones) and 5 bones in each finger in the palm (metacarpal bones). The index, middle, ring, and little fingers are made up of 3 bones (phalanges). The thumb consists of 2 phalange bones.
What are the different types of fractures?
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Comminuted fracture: there are several pieces of broken bone
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Greenstick Fracture: the bone is bent, resulting in an incomplete break
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Oblique fracture: there is a curve or slope to the break
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Spiral fracture: the cause of the break is from a twisting mechanism
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Stress fracture: a small hairline break in the bone, usually from repetitive use
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Transverse fracture: the piece of broken bone is at a right angle from the bone
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Compound fracture: The skin at the broken bone is open, and the bone may or may not be visible in the wound
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Displaced fracture: the broken bone has been moved out of its normal alignment
When does a hand or finger fracture require surgery?
A fracture of the hand or finger may or may not require surgery. Drs. Azouz will review your x-ray and do a physical exam to determine if surgical intervention is necessary.
A displaced fracture (meaning the bones are no longer aligned) will, in most cases, require surgical intervention to realign the bone. When a displaced fracture is repaired during surgery, it helps realign the bone. The realignment of the bone allows the patient to regain the function of their hand or finger.
Usually, a non-displaced fracture (meaning the bones are still aligned) can be treated with non-surgical conservative treatments.
Symptoms
What are the symptoms of hand fractures?
Bruising
Swelling
Pain, numbness, and/or tingling
Limited movement in the affected hand or finger
Bone protruding (dislocation)
Bone protruding tearing the skin (open fracture)
How is a fracture repair surgery performed?
Drs. Azouz may perform an external fixation or internal fixation of the broken bone. With external fixation, pins are placed above and below the fracture site and held in place with an external frame. During an internal fixation, rods, plates, or screws may be implanted at the site of the fracture. In some cases, a bone graft may be used for a crushed or missing bone.
What is the anesthesia for fracture repair surgery?
Drs. Azouz perform the majority of their fracture repair surgeries with the combination of an axillary block, local anesthetic, and sedation. Local anesthetic is used at the surgical site with a combination of sedative medication to help you relax. The axillary block lasts for up to 24 hours giving the patient pain relief during this time.
How long does it take to recover from fracture repair surgery?
It usually takes 4-6 weeks to recover from a nondisplaced surgical repair with Drs. Azouz. Patients are seen with routine follow-up visits in his office for more detailed post-surgical instructions. Dr. Azouz will instruct his patients on pin care and dressing changes. Hand therapy may be recommended to help regain full function of the hand.
What are the risks of fracture repair surgery?
Risks of hand fracture surgery:
- Infection
- Residual joint stiffness
- Malunion/Nonunion/Delayed union
- Arthritis
However, if the patient declines surgery they may have loss of function, pain, swelling, and deformity.
Dr. Azouz Minimizes Risk By:
- Meticulous sterile technique
- Use of Fluoroscopy
- Meticulous technique
- Use of specialized medications
Can fracture repair surgery be combined with other procedures?
Yes, hand or finger fracture repair surgery can be combined with any cosmetic procedures, tumor removals, or laceration repairs if there is multi-system trauma.
What are the outcomes of a successful hand or finger fracture repair surgery?
After recovery, patients regain the function of their hands and fingers. Surgery helps to restore the proper alignment of the bones and protect joints from arthritis, loss of function, deformity, and infections.
Hand Fracture Frequently Asked Questions
What are the non-surgical treatment options for hand and finger fractures?
For minor, non-displaced, hand and finger fractures, splinting is optimal for the bone to heal. However, in most displaced fractures, surgery is necessary to fix the fracture and improve outcomes for better function.
Where does Dr. Azouz operate?
Dr. Azouz has privileges at a variety of hospitals and emergency rooms throughout the DFW metroplex including Dallas, Fort Worth, Richardson, Plano, Flower Mound, Addison. Patients frequently travel to see Dr. Azouz from Frisco, Allen, Mckinney, Arlington and Rockwall. It is not uncommon for patients to even travel from across Texas including East Texas (Tyler, Longview), West Texas (midland odessa) and central Texas (Waco, Austin) to see Dr. Azouz.
What are the non-surgical treatment options for hand and finger fractures?
For minor, non-displaced, hand and finger fractures, splinting is optimal for the bone to heal. However, in most displaced fractures, surgery is necessary to fix the fracture and improve outcomes for better function.
Where does Dr. Azouz operate?
Dr. Azouz has privileges at a variety of hospitals and emergency rooms throughout the DFW metroplex including Dallas, Fort Worth, Richardson, Plano, Flower Mound, Addison. Patients frequently travel to see Dr. Azouz from Frisco, Allen, Mckinney, Arlington and Rockwall. It is not uncommon for patients to even travel from across Texas including East Texas (Tyler, Longview), West Texas (midland odessa) and central Texas (Waco, Austin) to see Dr. Azouz.
