Stavanger Plastic Surgery can offer assessment and surgery for a number of hand and arm conditions. Bjørn Tore Haga has many years of experience in both assessment and treatment of most hand and arm conditions, and regularly performs a number of hand surgeries.
Carpal tunnel syndrome
This is a very common condition caused by one of the nerves (the median nerve) in the hand becoming pinched/compressed at the wrist. The patient experiences numbness, weakness and pain in the thumb, index finger and middle finger. The symptoms are typically waking up at night with numb fingers.
A clinical examination with us will be able to confirm the condition, which can then be treated with hand surgery under local anesthesia.
Ulnar tunnel syndrome
The condition is caused by pressure (nerve compression) on the ulnar nerve, which runs through a canal at the elbow joint. Symptoms often include numbness in the ring and little fingers, as well as decreased strength in the hand. Symptoms typically occur when the elbow is bent for a long time or at night.
Once the cause has been identified, we will usually be able to treat with hand surgery using local anesthesia or general anesthesia.
Tennis elbow/mouse arm (Epicondylitis)
This is a common condition characterized by pain on the outside of the elbow, often radiating down the wrist, especially when lifting. The condition is caused by overuse of tendon attachments, usually as a result of repetitive, unilateral movements, and comes in two different forms:
Tennis elbow, located on the outside, is called lateral epicondylitis, while golfer's elbow, located on the inside of the elbow joint, is called medial epicondylitis.
Our surgeon uses a proprietary surgical technique with very good results, where approximately 95% of patients recover completely. You can also have surgery with good results even if you have had surgery before.
Health Norway:
Trigger finger
The condition is caused by irritation and swelling of the flexor tendon of one of the fingers, causing the tendon (finger) to “hang up” in a bent position. Patients with diabetes or arthritis are particularly at risk.
We treat this with hand surgery under local anesthesia or with cortisone injections.
Osteoarthritis (osteoarthritis) in the hand and thumb
Osteoarthritis is a condition characterized by pain and stiffness in the hand, especially in the thumb's base joint, as well as in the small joints of the fingers. The diagnosis is made with regular X-rays of the hand and the condition can be treated in several ways, including surgery under local anesthesia.
Ganglion
Another very common condition in the hand is a ganglion. This is a hard lump that protrudes from the hand, most commonly on the back of the hand. A ganglion is simply a fluid-filled sac from a joint or tendon and is completely harmless. However, a ganglion can cause pain and tenderness and it can also be cosmetically unacceptable to walk with a large lump on your hand.
Ganglion surgery is performed under local anesthesia and depending on the size of the procedure, you will be back at work relatively quickly. You may be entitled to sick leave after such a procedure if you are unable to perform your normal work duties.
Hook finger / Dupuytren's contracture
This is an inherited condition that occurs in the palm of the hand. It often starts with a tender lump, but eventually a string forms outwards towards the finger, which means that the finger cannot be extended. Over time, the finger becomes more crooked and when there is more than 30 degrees of bend in the finger it is time to treat this.
Some can be treated by dividing the tendon with a needle under local anesthesia, but most require hand surgery. It is important not to wait too long before treating the condition, as the joint can become stiff and unable to straighten.
Who can undergo surgery?
In principle, everyone can undergo surgery as long as the surgeon has reason to believe that it is the correct diagnosis. If you are taking blood-thinning medications, the use of these must be clarified with our surgeon before the operation.
How are hand surgeries performed?
As mentioned, most operations are performed under local anesthesia, which is administered in such a way as to cause the least possible discomfort. The wound is closed with stitches that should give the prettiest possible scar.
For all hand surgeries, the blood supply is cut off using a cuff around the upper arm so that important structures in the hand become visible. The surgery takes about 30 minutes and you can go home the same day.
After the hand surgery
Depending on what has been done, the hand will need to rest afterwards, anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. Most hand surgeries also require your own efforts with training afterwards, but you will receive information about this at the clinic. As a rule, there will also be stitches that need to be removed after about two weeks. This can be done by us at no extra cost, or by your GP or other expert.
You can book a non-binding consultation with our hand surgeons via email by filling out the form on the right of the page, or call us on 51 55 85 00.
Welcome to Stavanger Plastic Surgery at Madla
