Is Functional Hand Surgery Painful?

Most patients in the Greenville area are pleasantly surprised by how manageable the discomfort is after functional hand surgery. During the procedure, anesthesia is used to ensure a pain-free experience. After surgery, it’s normal to experience some soreness, swelling, or stiffness in the hand or wrist. However, this can usually be controlled with over-the-counter or prescribed pain medications and rest.

How Many Appointments Will I Need?

Your treatment journey typically includes an initial consultation, a pre-operative appointment (if needed), the surgical procedure, and a series of follow-up visits. In many cases, three to five total appointments are expected. For some Greenville patients, post-surgical physical therapy may be recommended to optimize strength and flexibility, which would involve additional sessions with a hand therapist.

How Long Until I See Results?

Results depend on the specific issue being treated, but many patients experience relief fairly quickly. For conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome or trigger finger, symptoms often improve within days. However, it can take a few weeks to regain full function and strength, especially if stiffness or nerve involvement was significant. Most people see steady improvement over the first month, with full results becoming more noticeable by the six- to twelve-week mark.

Can I Combine Functional Hand Surgery With Other Procedures?

Yes, in certain cases, functional hand surgery can be combined with other treatments. This may include addressing multiple hand issues in a single procedure or pairing hand surgery with other cosmetic or reconstructive services we offer. Dr. Kachare will evaluate your health, goals, and surgical priorities to determine what is most appropriate.

What Are the Risks Associated With Functional Hand Surgery?

Functional hand surgery carries risks, including infection, bleeding, temporary stiffness, delayed healing, and nerve sensitivity. In rare cases, persistent symptoms or a limited range of motion may persist following surgery. However, under the care of a skilled and experienced hand surgeon like Dr. Kachare, the risk of serious complications remains low.

Greenville, NC

Functional Hand Surgery

Introduction

Introduction to Functional Hand Surgery

Your hands are essential — they do everything from simple daily tasks to complex movements. When pain, stiffness, or nerve issues start interfering, it’s time to take action.

At Kachare Plastic Surgery in Greenville, NC, Dr. Swapnil Kachare, with his triple board certifications, combines advanced expertise and a patient-focused approach with his functional hand surgery to help you regain full use of your hands, pain-free and fully functional.

What is Functional Hand Surgery?

Functional hand surgery addresses problems that limit the use or cause pain in your hands and fingers. This includes restoring tendon motion, relieving nerve compressions, and treating joint issues. Unlike cosmetic procedures, the goal here is to restore the practical function of your hands, allowing you to perform daily activities comfortably and without restriction. Whether you’re dealing with conditions like trigger finger or carpal tunnel syndrome, this surgery aims to correct the underlying problem and improve hand mobility and strength.

Trigger Fingers: Functional hand surgery addresses problems that limit the use or cause pain in your hands and fingers. This includes repairing damaged tendons, relieving nerve compressions, and treating joint issues. Unlike cosmetic procedures, the goal here is to restore the practical function of your hand, allowing you to perform daily activities comfortably and without restriction.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve, running through your wrist, becomes compressed. This leads to numbness, tingling, and weakness in your hand and fingers, especially noticeable at night or during repetitive use. Surgery releases the tight ligament pressing on the nerve, providing relief from symptoms and improving hand function.

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What Are the Benefits of Functional Hand Surgery?

The goal of functional hand surgery is to restore the patient’s ability to use their hand comfortably and effectively. When performed by a skilled specialist like Dr. Kachare, this type of surgery can offer several key benefits:

Relief from chronic pain or discomfort
Restoration of grip strength and fine motor function
Improved range of motion and flexibility
Decreased reliance on medication or bracing
Better ability to perform occupational or daily activities

In many cases, early surgical intervention also helps to prevent long-term complications or permanent nerve or tendon damage, especially when progressive conditions are involved.

Who Are the Best Candidates For Functional Hand Surgery?

Patients who experience persistent symptoms that interfere with daily life, especially after trying non-surgical treatment, may be candidates for functional hand surgery.

Ideal candidates often include:

Individuals with chronic pain, weakness, or numbness in the hand or fingers
Patients whose range of motion or hand function has become limited
Those who experience mechanical problems, such as finger locking or loss of dexterity
People with progressive conditions that may lead to long-term joint or nerve damage

What’s the first step

At Kachare Plastic Surgery in Greenville, Dr. Kachare takes the time to listen to your concerns, review your relevant medical history, and do a thorough physical examination of both the hand and wrist. Additional diagnostic tests may be ordered to confirm the underlying condition and rule out other possible causes.

If surgery is recommended, Dr. Kachare explains the procedure in detail, discusses the expected outcomes, and outlines the recovery process so you know exactly what to expect.

What to Expect on the Day of Functional Hand Surgery

During the procedure, Dr. Kachare uses precise techniques to address the affected tendon, nerve, or joint.

For trigger finger surgery, a small incision is made near the base of the finger to release the constricted tendon sheath.

For carpal tunnel syndrome, an incision is made in the wrist to access and release the transverse carpal ligament.

Functional Hand Surgery Recovery

Most individuals experience some swelling, stiffness, or mild discomfort after surgery, which typically resolves within the first few weeks. Patients are usually advised to wear a splint or brace for a short period to protect the hand as it heals.

Physical therapy may be recommended as part of the recovery plan to restore strength, flexibility, and range of motion. Many patients are able to return to light daily activities within 1 to 2 weeks, with more intensive activities resuming in 6 to 12 weeks.

How Much Does Functional Hand Surgery Cost in Greenville, NC?

In Greenville, the cost of functional hand surgery typically ranges from $2,500 to $6,000 per hand. Common surgeries, such as carpal tunnel release or trigger finger correction, usually fall on the lower end of the cost spectrum, while more involved tendon or nerve repairs may be more expensive.

During your consultation at Kachare Plastic Surgery, you’ll receive a detailed breakdown of costs and insurance benefits, along with financing options if needed.

Why Choose Dr. Kachare?

When it comes to your hands—arguably two of the most essential tools you use every day—experience matters. Dr. Swapnil Kachare is triple board-certified in plastic surgery, general surgery, and hand surgery, a distinction that reflects his extensive training and surgical precision.

At Kachare Plastic Surgery, you’re not just a chart number—you’re a person with goals, routines, and quality of life at stake. From your first appointment to your final follow-up, you’ll be in the hands of a specialist who truly understands the anatomy, function, and importance of your hands.

Functional Hand Surgery FAQ’S

Most patients in the Greenville area are pleasantly surprised by how manageable the discomfort is after functional hand surgery. During the procedure, anesthesia is used to ensure a pain-free experience. After surgery, it’s normal to experience some soreness, swelling, or stiffness in the hand or wrist. However, this can usually be controlled with over-the-counter or prescribed pain medications and rest.
Your treatment journey typically includes an initial consultation, a pre-operative appointment (if needed), the surgical procedure, and a series of follow-up visits. In many cases, three to five total appointments are expected. For some Greenville patients, post-surgical physical therapy may be recommended to optimize strength and flexibility, which would involve additional sessions with a hand therapist.
Results depend on the specific issue being treated, but many patients experience relief fairly quickly. For conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome or trigger finger, symptoms often improve within days. However, it can take a few weeks to regain full function and strength, especially if stiffness or nerve involvement was significant. Most people see steady improvement over the first month, with full results becoming more noticeable by the six- to twelve-week mark.
Functional hand surgery carries risks, including infection, bleeding, temporary stiffness, delayed healing, and nerve sensitivity. In rare cases, persistent symptoms or a limited range of motion may persist following surgery. However, under the care of a skilled and experienced hand surgeon like Dr. Kachare, the risk of serious complications remains low.

Schedule Your Consultation

If you’re experiencing hand pain, numbness, stiffness, or functional limitations, functional hand surgery may offer the long-term relief you’ve been looking for. To learn more about your options or schedule a consultation with Dr. Kachare at Kachare Plastic Surgery, contact our Greenville office today.

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