Hand & Upper Limb Surgery
Hand Surgery (Reconstructive)
Restoring function after hand trauma or injury
Overview
Reconstructive hand surgery addresses injuries and conditions affecting the bones, tendons, nerves, and soft tissue of the hand, with the primary goal of restoring function alongside appearance.
Given how much daily life depends on hand function, treatment planning places particular emphasis on preserving movement, sensation, and strength.
Because so many structures are packed into a small area, hand injuries frequently involve more than one type of tissue at once — a laceration, for instance, may cut skin, tendon, and nerve together — which is why hand surgery draws on fracture fixation, tendon repair, nerve repair, and soft-tissue coverage as needed within the same overall treatment plan, rather than treating each injured structure in isolation. Tendon repair, nerve repair, and hand and finger fracture fixation are each covered in more depth on their own procedure pages.
Candidacy
Is Hand Surgery (Reconstructive) Right for You?
- Traumatic hand or finger injury
- Tendon or nerve injury affecting hand function
- Post-traumatic scarring limiting hand movement
- An injury involving more than one structure — bone, tendon, nerve, or soft tissue — at once
- Injuries requiring specialised reconstructive repair
What to Expect
Your Journey
- 01
Consultation
Detailed functional assessment of movement, sensation, and strength, mapping exactly which structures are involved to guide the reconstructive plan.
- 02
Procedure
Techniques vary widely depending on the structures involved — bone, tendon, nerve, or soft tissue — under appropriate anaesthesia, sometimes combining more than one technique in a single operation.
- 03
Recovery
Hand therapy and structured rehabilitation are typically a central part of recovery alongside the surgery itself, tailored to which structures were repaired.
Recovery
Recovery & Aftercare
Functional recovery is often gradual and closely tied to a structured hand therapy program following surgery. Because different tissues heal at different rates — bone, tendon, and nerve all follow their own timelines — the overall recovery plan is paced around whichever structure needs the most protection.
Before & After
Real Cases
Groin Flap for Wrist defect
Before
AfterBone grafting and K-wiring
Tendon Graft
Syndactyly
Thumb Fractures
Bone Loss following Injury
Metacarpal Fractures
Burns
Compartment Syndrome
Post Burn Contractures
Nail Bed Injuries
Finger Fractures
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Will full function return after surgery?
This depends heavily on the nature and severity of the original injury; your surgeon will give an individualized outlook.
Is hand therapy really necessary?
Yes — structured rehabilitation is often as important as the surgery itself in regaining hand function.
How urgent is treatment after a hand injury?
Some hand injuries benefit from prompt assessment, so it's best to seek evaluation as soon as possible after injury.
Can more than one structure be repaired in the same operation?
Yes — this is common, since a single injury (such as a deep laceration) often affects tendon, nerve, and sometimes bone together, and these are typically addressed in one combined procedure where possible.
What is the difference between a hand surgeon and an orthopaedic hand specialist?
Both treat hand conditions, often with overlapping training — plastic surgery's hand training brings particular depth in soft-tissue, tendon, nerve, and microsurgical reconstruction alongside bony injury.
More on Hand Surgery (Reconstructive)
Have Questions About Hand Surgery (Reconstructive)?
Every case is different. Get in touch to discuss your situation, or keep reading for more on candidacy, recovery, and what to expect.
All Procedures