Hand Surgery in Austin, Tx

People use their hands for almost everything in their day-to-day lives. This makes it all the more frustrating and worrisome when we experience difficulties with the look and function of our hands. Board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Andre Y. Levesque understands how important they are for completing simple, everyday activities. For this reason, he offers helpful treatments and surgeries at his Austin, TX practice to patients who want to enhance the appearance and performance of their hands. If you are experiencing an issue but are unsure of the underlying condition or cause, Dr. Levesque will work with you to assess a diagnosis and recommend treatment based on your needs. Schedule a one-on-one consultation at Levesque Plastic Surgery to have your most important extremities professionally evaluated and receive the proper care to restore them.

Dr. Levesque diagnoses and treats numerous hand-related conditions at his practice, such as carpal tunnel and cubital tunnel syndrome. In addition to this, he offers services for hand rejuvenation, including the use of fat transfer and fillers to enhance the appearance of the hands. Below are the conditions, surgeries, and services he provides for patients at Levesque Plastic Surgery:

Hand Rejuvenation
Because your hands are exposed almost as frequently as your face, they can incur similar issues that develop over time. This can include pigmentation, wrinkles, and volume loss. To improve the appearance of your hands, Dr. Levesque performs hand rejuvenation procedures for patients at his Austin, TX practice. Depending on your needs or preferences, he can employ the use of dermal fillers (such as Radiesse) or fat transfers to plump their appearance and restore lost volume. Additionally, there are an array of noninvasive treatments that can be used to reduce dark spots and age spots.

Carpal Tunnel Release
Carpal tunnel syndrome is characterized by pain, numb, or tingling sensations that occur in the hand and/or arm. This debilitating condition is often caused when the median nerve (located in the wrist) becomes pinched or compressed. This compression of the median nerve causes pain and can make it very difficult to perform tasks that involve gripping or holding objects. Carpal tunnel release is an endoscopic surgery that aims to correct the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome by making a 5cm incision into the wrist, where the median nerve is located, and releasing the nerve.

Cubital Tunnel Release
Cubital tunnel release is a surgery aimed to improve upon cubital tunnel syndrome, which is a disorder caused by the stretching of the ulnar nerve (located near the funny bone). When this nerve is stretched, it can cause tingling and numbness in the ring and pinky fingers. It can also, like carpal tunnel syndrome, result in poor grip and pain centralized in the arm. Cubital tunnel release surgery involves an incision made near the elbow. After the incision is made, the ulnar nerve is released.

Trigger Finger Release
A condition that can affect any finger, trigger finger is characterized by stiffness, pain, or a locking sensation that occurs when you bend or stretch your appendages. Although it can develop in any of the fingers, it is most commonly occurring in the ring finger and thumb (which is called trigger thumb). Trigger finger release, or tenolysis, is a procedure aimed to reduce the effects of trigger finger or trigger thumb by making a small incision into the affected appendage. From there, Dr. Levesque will release the A1 pulley that is preventing movement.

Guyon’s Canal Release
Guyon's canal release surgery is necessary when the ulnar nerve becomes compressed in the wrist through the Guyon's canal. This procedure is performed with an incision that begins on the wrist and stretches into the palm. The ulnar nerve is the same nerve at play when cubital tunnel syndrome takes affect. However, in this case, the necessary incision is placed on the wrist rather than in the elbow.

De Quervain’s Release
De Quervain's syndrome can be identified by wrist pain that occurs when holding a pencil or an alike object, most often in the dominant hand. Women tend to experience this condition more frequently than men. To minimize the effects of De Quervain's syndrome, Dr. Levesque will make an incision on the side of your wrist near the base of the thumb. From there, he can perform De Quervain's release surgery by opening the tissue over the swollen part of the tendon. This procedure will allow the tendon to move freely rather than be constricted and cause discomfort.

Dupuytren’s Contracture
Dupuytren's contracture is a condition that leads to the thickening of skin tissue, which then causes the affected fingers to bend inward toward the palm. This can make straightening one's fingers very difficult and inhibit natural movements. Although this most commonly effects the ring and pinky fingers, it can occur in other fingers as well. This abnormality is seen more commonly among the elderly, as well as with males. Currently, there is no cure for Dupuytren's contracture. However, Dr. Levesque can increase your comfort and lessen your symptoms by performing either a fasciotomy or a subtotal palmar fasciectomy procedure.

Patients who experience pain in their hands, wrists, or arms that gets in the way of completing their daily activities could benefit from scheduling a private consultation at our Austin, TX office. During your one-on-one appointment, Dr. Levesque will assess the condition of your hands, determine where the discomfort is coming from, and figure out the best course of action. If rejuvenation is your goal, Dr. Levesque will formulate a unique treatment plan to enhance the appearance of your hands. Whether you are plagued by volume loss or carpal tunnel syndrome, our skilled team will work with you to determine how to best restore the look and function of your most important extremities.

The procedure technique used for your treatment will vary based on your condition, concerns, and goals. To achieve restored hand function and rejuvenation, Dr. Levesque performs both surgical and nonsurgical procedures. For most of these procedures, such as carpal tunnel release, Dr. Levesque is able to use local anesthesia rather than having the procedure performed outpatient. The process for this technique involves a single shot in the wrist that is very similar to a blood draw. After the needle is inserted, the local anesthetic is added slowly to totally numb the area.

While some hand surgeries are performed inpatient with a local anesthetic, hand rejuvenation with an autologous fat transfer is performed at an accredited surgical facility or hospital. For this procedure, you will be put under a general anesthetic.

Because everyone is unique, it's difficult to give an accurate estimation of healing and recovery time for potential hand surgery patients. We will tell you how to care for your incisions post-op to prevent infection and promote the growth of healthy skin tissue. The speed of your recovery will depend on how well you respond to the treatment, as well as your individual tolerance for pain. You will be expected to attend mandatory follow-up appointments at Levesque Plastic Surgery so Dr. Levesque can monitor your recovery, pain management, and progress with hand movement.

How much will my hand surgery/rejuvenation cost?
The cost of your hand surgery or hand rejuvenation will depend on the specific treatment you are having done, as well as potential anesthesia and facility fees. Dr. Levesque will work with you to make sure you receive the proper treatment at a cost that is suitable.

How can you perform some of these procedures under local anesthesia?
The secret to performing hand surgeries under local anesthesia rather than general is utilizing proper, advanced techniques. Dr. Levesque will inject the local anesthetic slowly and allow the full effect of the epinephrine to constrict blood vessels. Dr. Levesque will not need to use a tourniquet, and there is no time lost to getting an IV placed, being put to under, or waking up from sleep.

Will my hand surgery be covered by insurance?
Your hand surgery could potentially be covered by your medical insurance. Dr. Levesque accepts many insurance plans, and a simple call to the office can verify your insurance benefits. For those that do not have insurance or have high deductible plan, we accept many forms of payment as well as medical financing.

How long should I plan to be off of work?
Everyone's experience with healing and post-operative pain is unique to them. The typical patient can be back at work within 2 weeks following surgery. This, however, can vary widely based on the amount of physical exertion needed for you job. No antibiotics are required post-surgery. If needed, Dr. Levesque can prescribe any necessary pain medications to improve the quality of your downtime.

Honing years of experience in addressing a variety of hand-related issues, board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Levesque will use advanced techniques to enhance the appearance and functionality of your hands. Contact our Austin, TX office to schedule a consultation if hand pain or volume loss has gotten in the way of your life. Levesque Plastic Surgery will work with you to meet your needs and goals.