Hand surgery is a specialty in medicine that deals with issues of the forearm, wrist, and hand. Such issues are dealt with by surgical or non-surgical methods by hand and wrist surgeons.

The qualification required to become a hand surgeon includes training in general, plastic, or orthopaedic surgery with extra specialization of a minimum of one year in hand care. Hand surgeons should undertake a full extra year of hand surgery training. Some of these surgeons treat only adults or only children, although many specialise in both. The Australian Hand Surgery Society (AHSS) and the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) recognises surgeons who have taken additional hand surgery training by the Post Fellowship Education and Training (PFET) Hand Surgery program.

One can determine the best hand surgeon to visit firstly by his/her credentials, and secondly by assessing the following professional and personal qualities:

Compassion and empathy

Though expertise is critical, so is also a personable and caring attitude. Having a hand injury, pain or restricted motion is difficult and can make it difficult to undertake activities of daily living. Your hand surgeon should be compassionate and understand what you are dealing with. Ideally, you want a hand surgeon who treats all of his/her patients with respect and compassion rather than someone who is coldly analytical or aloof. Part of a hand surgeon’s job is to offer an explanation and advice to patients.

Technical skills

Every hand surgeon has completed rigorous training. However, the best surgeons also have excellent coordination and dexterity. Because of the delicate nature of hand surgery, it is essential for them to have steady, sure hands and excellent mechanical skills to perform critical surgeries effectively. Microsurgery is used in hand surgery to facilitate nerve, artery and vein repairs, and flaps

So, how do you judge the practical ability of a surgeon without experiencing it in person? One criterion is the years of experience of the specialist. Others are the fellowships and certifications he/she has garnered. But the most reliable criterion is the positive reviews provided by former patients. The best hand surgeons are aware of how to strike a balance between compassion and professionalism. They put the patient at ease such that they are able to work as a team with the patient and the hand therapist to help them recover and recuperate from injury or illness.

Ability to lead

Top hand surgeons mostly fill senior positions within medical teams. For this, they need to take the initiative and lead other medical professionals, especially in the operating theatre. Such an attitude of leadership exudes commitment and confidence, which are qualities that benefit patients. You may also observe how their support team acts around them. The best indicator of how a doctor is likely to deal with you is the behaviour of those they most often interact with.

Outlook of flexibility

Instead of adhering to an approach of one-size-fits-all, a highly skilled hand surgeon will be amenable to exploring multiple options for customizing a treatment plan to the specific needs of a patient. Additionally, he/she will be agreeable to invest adequate effort and time in finding the ideal therapeutic treatment for the problems of patients.

Continual education

A great hand surgeon will not rest on his/her laurels, but will stay updated with the current, evolving developments in technology and techniques in hand surgery and apply such fresh knowledge to benefit his/her patients. They are always learning and trying to become better at their craft. Leading hand surgeons will undertake research and teaching of registrars, fellows, junior doctors and medical students.

Realistic diagnosis

The best hand and wrist surgeon will never provide patients with unrealistic expectations regarding the outcomes of treatment. They will explore all treatment options for patients but will be honest about all possible outcomes. They will recommend surgery only if it is necessary.

FAQs

  • What are the features of a good hand surgeon?

A great hand surgeon will have experience in diagnosing both rare and common hand conditions. They will typically suggest non-operative treatments when they assess that the treatment does not need surgery.

  • How do hand surgeons differ from orthopaedic surgeons?

Orthopaedic surgeons specialize in surgical and medical treatment of the musculoskeletal system. This consists of all joints, tendons, muscles, and bones in the body. A hand surgeon (on the other hand!) is a sub-specialist who specialises in treating disorders and injuries of the hand, wrist and forearm. Some hand surgeons will also be orthopaedic surgeons, whilst others will also be plastic or general surgeons.