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Your hands help you work, create, care for others, perform everyday activities, and live independently. When an injury, hand pain, numbness, weakness, or restricted movement affects them, even simple tasks can become difficult. The Hand Surgery Program at Apollo Hospitals, Chennai, provides specialized care for traumatic, congenital, degenerative, and reconstructive conditions affecting the hand, wrist, and forearm. The program brings together expertise from plastic surgery, vascular surgery, orthopedics, microsurgery, physiotherapy, and rehabilitation medicine. Patients looking for a hand specialist in Chennai can access coordinated evaluation, surgical and non-surgical treatment, rehabilitation, and follow-up support through a multidisciplinary team at Apollo Hospitals, Greams Road.
Your Care Team
The Hand Surgery Program brings together specialists across the disciplines required for comprehensive hand care.
Your care team will also include:
- Physiotherapists: To help restore movement, flexibility, strength, and function through guided rehabilitation.
- Hand therapists: To develop personalized exercise programs and may create custom splints to protect the hand and guide healing.
- Nurses: To support patients before, during, and after surgery and provide guidance on wound care, medication, and recovery.
- Physician Assistants: To help coordinate follow-up, monitor recovery, and maintain communication between the patient and clinical team.
Together, the team supports patients from the first consultation through treatment, rehabilitation, and return to everyday activities.
Cosmetology and Plastic Surgery
25+ years ,
MBBS, MS(Surgery), Mch(Plastic Surgery)
Orthopedics
Robotic Surgery
Robotic Surgery
17+ years ,
MS(Ortho), MRCS (Ed), FRCS(T&O)UK, CCT/CESR ORTHO UK, PG Diploma in Ortho (UCLAN-UK) British (BOA) Shoulder & Elbow Fellowship - Teeside, UK British (BOA) fellowship in Upper Limb & Major Trauma- Stoke on Trent UK
Our Hand Surgery Program evaluates and treats a wide range of conditions affecting the hand, fingers, wrist, and forearm.
- Hand, Wrist, and Forearm Injuries
- Nerve and Sensory Problems
- Congenital Hand Differences
- Reconstructive and Long-Term Conditions
Hand, Wrist, and Forearm Injuries
- Deep cuts or lacerations involving the hand or fingers
- Hand fractures and finger fractures
- A broken hand or broken wrist following a fall, blow, or accident
- Crush injuries caused by machinery, workplace incidents, or road accidents
- Severe burns affecting the hand
- Tendon injuries, including a partially or completely cut tendon
- Complete finger amputation or hand amputation that may be suitable for reattachment
Nerve and Sensory Problems
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Numbness and tingling in the fingers
- Loss of sensation in the fingers or hand
- Weakness affecting the hand or fingers
- Nerve compression in the hand or wrist
- Nerve damage following an injury or previous surgery
Congenital Hand Differences
- Polydactyly (extra fingers)
- Syndactyly (fused fingers)
- Clinodactyly (curved fingers)
- Other congenital hand deformities
- Birth palsy, which may cause weakness in a newborn’s arm following a birth-related nerve injury
Reconstructive and Long-Term Conditions
- Hand deformities resulting from old injuries
- Soft-tissue defects after trauma or burns
- Blood vessel abnormalities such as hemangiomas
- Conditions requiring skin, tissue, tendon, nerve, or vascular reconstruction
Accurate diagnosis is the foundation of effective hand treatment. During the initial evaluation, the hand specialist asks about the symptoms or injury and carefully examines movement, strength, sensation, circulation, swelling, tenderness, and deformity.
- X-ray
- CT Scan
- MRI
- Ultrasound
- Nerve Conduction Studies & Electromyography
X-ray:
X-rays are usually the first imaging test performed for hand and wrist injuries. They help identify fractures, dislocations, arthritis, joint damage, and certain foreign objects lodged within the hand. They also show the position of broken bones, helping the surgeon determine whether a fracture can be managed with a splint or cast or requires surgery.
CT Scan:
A CT (Computed Tomography) scan provides highly detailed cross-sectional and 3D images of bones and joints. It is particularly useful for complex fractures involving multiple fragments, wrist injuries, and fractures extending into the joints. CT scans also help surgeons plan reconstructive procedures with greater precision.
MRI:
An MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) provides detailed images of the soft tissues of the hand and wrist, including tendons, ligaments, muscles, cartilage, and nerves. It is commonly used when tendon tears, ligament injuries, occult fractures, or nerve disorders are suspected but are not clearly visible on an X-ray. MRI also helps assess the extent of soft tissue damage before surgery.
Ultrasound:
Ultrasound uses sound waves to produce real-time images of soft tissues without exposing patients to radiation. It can help evaluate tendon injuries, cysts, fluid collections, and certain nerve-compression conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome. Because it allows dynamic assessment during movement, it is particularly useful for examining tendons and other superficial structures.
Nerve Conduction Studies & Electromyography
These specialized tests evaluate how well the nerves and muscles are functioning. Nerve conduction studies measure how quickly electrical signals travel through the nerves, while EMG assesses the electrical activity of muscles. Together, they help diagnose conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, nerve compression, nerve injuries, and certain muscle disorders, while also helping determine the severity of nerve damage.
Our surgeons at the Hand Surgery Program provide a range of non-surgical and surgical treatments, from splinting and fracture care to complex reconstructive microsurgery.
- Hand and Finger Fracture Treatment
- Tendon Repair
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment
- Finger or Hand Replantation
- Correction of Congenital Hand Differences
- Reconstructive Hand Surgery
Hand and Finger Fracture Treatment:
A hand fracture can result from a fall, direct blow, sports injury, workplace accident, or road traffic accident.
Common symptoms include:
- pain
- swelling
- bruising
- difficulty moving the fingers
- visible deformity
Stable fractures may be treated with a cast or splint while the bone heals. More complex or displaced fractures may require surgery to realign the bone and hold it in position using small wires, pins, plates, or screws. Rehabilitation is introduced at the appropriate stage to restore movement and reduce stiffness.
Tendon Repair:
Tendons are strong cords that connect muscles to bones and allow the fingers to bend and straighten. A tendon injury may occur when the hand is cut by glass, a knife, machinery, or another sharp object. A completely cut tendon can prevent the affected finger from moving normally. During tendon-repair surgery, the damaged ends of the tendon are carefully reconnected. A protective splint is usually required while the repair heals. Guided hand therapy is then introduced gradually to restore movement, strength, and flexibility without placing excessive stress on the repaired tendon.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment:
Carpal tunnel syndrome develops when the median nerve becomes compressed as it passes through the wrist. It can cause numbness, tingling, pain, reduced grip, or weakness in the hand.
Early carpal tunnel syndrome treatment may include:
- Wearing a wrist splint, particularly at night
- Modifying activities that aggravate symptoms
- Taking medicines when prescribed
- Treating associated medical conditions where relevant
- Hand therapy or guided exercises in selected cases
When symptoms persist, become severe, or are associated with significant nerve compression, carpal tunnel release surgery may be advised. The procedure relieves pressure on the median nerve by creating more space within the carpal tunnel.
Finger or Hand Replantation:
A completely severed finger or hand may sometimes be surgically reattached. Finger reattachment is a highly specialized microsurgical procedure in which the surgeon repairs very small blood vessels, nerves, tendons, bones, and other tissues.
The possibility of successful replantation depends on several factors, including:
- The level and type of finger amputation
- The condition of the severed part
- The time since the injury
- How the amputated part has been preserved
- The person’s overall health and suitability for surgery
What to do after a finger amputation:
- Call the hospital or emergency service immediately.
- Do not directly place the severed part on ice or in water.
- Wrap it in clean gauze lightly moistened with normal saline.
- Place the wrapped part in a clean, sealed plastic bag.
- Keep the bag cool by placing it in another container with ice or cold packs.
- Bring the severed part to the hospital with the patient as quickly as possible.
Prompt medical attention is important because not every amputated part can be reattached, and the opportunity for finger reattachment may be time-sensitive.
Correction of Congenital Hand Differences:
Some children are born with congenital hand deformities such as polydactyly (extra fingers or toes), syndactyly (webbed or fused fingers or toes), or clinodactyly (abnormally curved or angled fingers). Treatment is planned according to the patient's condition, age, development, and the structures involved. Surgery may be performed to separate fused fingers, remove or reconstruct extra fingers, or correct deformity and improve function.
Reconstructive Hand Surgery:
Reconstructive procedures may be required after severe injuries, burns, tissue loss, old trauma, nerve damage, or vascular problems. Depending on the condition, treatment may involve:
- Nerve repair
- Blood vessel repair
- Tendon reconstruction
- Skin grafting
- Local or free-tissue flaps
- Scar and contracture correction
- Bone and joint reconstruction
- Functional reconstruction to improve movement and grip
Recovery after hand surgery varies according to the condition treated, the complexity of surgery, the structures involved, and the patient’s overall health. Hand therapy is an important part of recovery after many procedures. It may help:
- Restore hand and finger movement
- Reduce stiffness and swelling
- Protect repaired tendons, nerves, bones, or blood vessels
- Improve strength and grip
- Support sensory recovery
- Help patients return to work and everyday activities
First 1-2 Weeks
During the early recovery period, patients may be advised to:
- Keep the hand elevated to help control swelling
- Take pain medication as prescribed
- Keep the dressing or wound clean and dry
- Protect the hand using the recommended splint
- Watch for increasing pain, swelling, bleeding, fever, colour changes, or loss of sensation
Some pain and swelling may be expected, but new or worsening symptoms should be reported to the care team.
Next 2-6 Weeks
Depending on the procedure and healing progress:
- Sutures may be removed
- Gentle exercises may be introduced
- Splints may be adjusted
- Physiotherapy or hand therapy may continue
- Swelling and discomfort may gradually reduce
Patients should not start exercises or increase activity without guidance, particularly after tendon repair, nerve repair, fracture fixation, or replantation.
6 Weeks and Beyond
Rehabilitation may progress to:
- More advanced mobility exercises
- Strengthening and grip exercises
- Sensory retraining where required
- Work-specific or activity-specific training
- Gradual return to normal activities
Recovery timelines are not the same for every patient. Complex injuries and microsurgical procedures may require several months of rehabilitation and follow-up.
- You will complete registration and provide relevant personal, medical, and insurance information.
- The hand specialist will ask about your symptoms, injury, previous treatment, occupation, and activities.
- Your hand, wrist, or forearm will be examined for movement, strength, sensation, circulation, tenderness, swelling, and deformity.
- X-rays or other diagnostic tests may be recommended where required.
- The specialist will explain the likely diagnosis and available treatment options.
- You will have an opportunity to discuss the expected recovery, possible risks, rehabilitation requirements, and follow-up plan.
- Please bring previous medical records, imaging, prescriptions, discharge summaries, and details of any earlier surgery or treatment.
- For an acute injury, severe bleeding, a crush injury, or finger amputation, seek emergency care rather than waiting for a routine clinic appointment.
The Hand Surgery Clinic at Apollo Hospitals, Chennai, currently operates on the following schedule:
Monday: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM – New consultations and follow-up visits
Wednesday: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM – New consultations, check-ups, and therapy reviews
Friday: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM – New consultations, follow-ups, and complex-case discussions
1
How long does hand surgery take?
The duration depends on the procedure. A relatively straightforward operation may take less than an hour, while complex microsurgery or finger reattachment can take several hours. Your surgeon can provide a more specific estimate after evaluating the injury or condition.
2
Will I need to stay in the hospital?
Many hand procedures may be performed as day-care surgery. More complex operations, including replantation, extensive reconstruction, or surgery requiring close circulation monitoring, may require hospital admission. The expected length of stay will be discussed before the procedure.
3
How important are physiotherapy and hand therapy after surgery?
Hand therapy can be essential after many procedures. It helps protect repaired structures, restore movement, reduce stiffness, improve strength, and support return to work and daily activities. The timing and type of exercises must be guided by the clinical team.
4
What should I do if a finger is completely cut off?
Seek emergency medical care immediately. Wrap the severed part in clean gauze lightly moistened with normal saline, place it inside a sealed plastic bag, and keep the bag cool using a second container with ice or cold packs. Do not allow the severed part to directly touch ice or become frozen.
5
Can carpal tunnel syndrome be treated without surgery?
Many patients with mild or early symptoms may initially be treated with wrist splinting, activity modification, medicines, and management of contributing conditions. Surgery may be recommended when symptoms persist, nerve compression is severe, or there is increasing weakness or loss of sensation.
6
What are the common carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms?
Symptoms may include numbness and tingling in the fingers, burning pain, reduced grip, hand weakness, and discomfort that is worse at night. The thumb, index finger, middle finger, and part of the ring finger are commonly affected.
7
At what age are congenital hand differences treated?
The timing depends on the type and complexity of the condition, the structures involved, and the child’s development. Some procedures are performed during infancy, while others may be planned later. A pediatric hand surgeon should assess the child and recommend the most appropriate timing.
8
How long does recovery after hand surgery take?
Recovery can range from a few weeks to several months. Simple procedures generally have shorter recovery periods, while tendon repair, nerve repair, fracture reconstruction, and microsurgery may require prolonged rehabilitation.
9
When should I consult a hand specialist?
Consult a hand specialist if you experience:
- Persistent or worsening hand pain
- Numbness and tingling in the fingers
- Weakness or reduced grip
- Difficulty bending or straightening a finger
- Significant swelling or deformity
- A deep cut involving the hand
- Loss of sensation after an injury
- Symptoms that interfere with sleep, work, or daily activities
Severe bleeding, an amputated finger, a crushed hand, sudden colour change, or loss of circulation requires emergency medical attention.
10
How do I book a hand surgeon appointment in Chennai?
Appointments can be booked through the Apollo Hospitals website, the Apollo 24|7 app, or the hospital helpline.
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