Hands of a person working an a keyboardThe decision to have hand surgery is extremely personal, and you’ll have to decide if the benefits will achieve your goals and if the risks and potential complications are acceptable. You will be asked to sign consent forms to ensure that you fully understand the procedure and any risks and potential complications.

The risks include:

  • Allergies to tape, suture materials and glues, blood products, topical preparations or injected agents
  • Anesthesia risks
  • Bleeding
  • Blood clots
  • Change in skin sensation
  • Damage to deeper structures such as nerves, blood vessels, muscles, and lungs
  • Deep vein thrombosis, cardiac and pulmonary complications
  • Fluid accumulation
  • Infection
  • Pain, which may persist
  • Poor healing of incisions
  • Possibility of revision surgery
  • Skin contour irregularities
  • Skin discoloration / swelling
  • Unexpected hand swelling
  • Unfavorable scarring

These risks and others will be fully discussed prior to your consent. It’s important that you address all your questions directly with your plastic surgeon.

Additional risks associated with these specific surgeries include:
Carpal tunnel

  • Non-improvement
  • Recurrence of carpal tunnel syndrome

Extensor tendon

  • Additional incisions may be necessary because cut tendons may retract
  • Failure of tendon repair
  • Inability to restore function
  • Tendon scarring

Flexor tendon

  • Additional incisions may be necessary because cut tendons may retract
  • Inability to restore function
  • Tendon scarring

Trigger finger

  • Non-improvement
  • Tendon scarring