Reconstructive Procedures » Hand Trauma
In Canada, most of the hand surgery and medical management of hand health problems is performed by plastic surgeons. Hand health problems include most of the problems for which people go to Emergency Departments. This includes infection, animal bites, burns, wounds of any kind, broken bones or any other problems seen daily in any Emergency Department. The more simple hand problems are managed by the Emergency room physicians. The more complex hand problems are generally referred to plastic surgeons.
Most broken bones of the hand heal with casting for a period of 2-4 weeks. However, some fractures will require surgery to better align the broken fragments. This is especially true if the break occurs into a joint where arthritis is more likely to occur if the broken fragments are not properly lined up.
