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Clear Lake Hand Center

qualified hand surgeon in Clear Lake, Tx

Hand Surgeon

Many patients are surprised to learn that hand surgery falls under the reconstructive aspect of a Plastic and Reconstructive residency. Dr. Polsen performed his hand training at the prestigious Hermann Memorial Hospital in Houston, part of the University of Texas Residency Program. During his Plastic and Reconstruction residency Dr. Polsen was extensively trained in all aspects of hand surgery, especially microsurgery. During his training Dr. Polsen authored an article concerning the detailed anatomy of the hand, at the wrist, in the area of carpal tunnel surgery. This article was published in the HAND Journal (the official journal for the American Association of Hand Surgery). In addition, Dr. Polsen presented his findings at the national meeting for the American Association of Hand Surgeons. Dr. Polsen received an award during his training from the Plastic Surgery Education Foundation for research.

Repairing the Hands

Through aging, or repetitive motions, or traumatic events, our hands can become damaged and painful. Hand surgery can refer to many things, but it is almost always a delicate procedure. Dr. Polsen treats everyone from amputee patients to those suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome. In the case of the amputee, the surgery might consist of an emergency reattachment of a finger, the success of which is measured by retention of feeling and lack of scarring. In the case of a carpal tunnel correction, Dr. Polsen measures the success of his Houston Clear Lake Area patients by the degree of pain eliminated. Dr. Polsen has completed his residency at the premier University of Texas training program.  Dr. Polsen is a plastic surgeon in the Houston Clear Lake Area and specializes in many different aspects of hand surgery procedures, so if you’re looking for a hand surgeon in Clear Lake, please don’t hesitate to contact him, or call out staff at our Houston Area office at (281) 538-6600.

Visit: www.clearlakehandcenter.com
endoscopic carpal tunnel

Conditions Treated:

  • Carpal Tunnel
  • Cubital Tunnel
  • DeQuervain’s Tenosynovitis
  • Dupuytren’s Disease
  • Fractures
  • Ganglion Cyst
  • Hand Lacerations
  • Hand Pain
  • Mallet Finger
  • Nail Bed Repair
  • Neuroma
  • Scar Tissue Formation
  • Tendon or Nerve Damage
  • Trauma to the Hand
  • Trigger Finger
  • Tumors
  • Warts
  • Wrist Pain

Overview

  • Treats a number of hand issues, including carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Contact immediately in case of emergency amputation or reattachment
  • Recovery: Variable

Who is a Good Candidate?

Hand surgery can treat a number of hand related issues, including carpal tunnel syndrome, Dupuytren’s Disease, wrist pain, and emergency amputation or reattachment. Candidates have usually tried all possible nonsurgical remedies, and found them to be ineffective, before seeing Dr. Polsen. Remember that if you are undergoing major surgery it is highly suggested that you be healthy enough to withstand general anesthesia.

Endoscopic Carpal Tunnel Surgery

If you are diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome, and are experiencing compression of the nerve to your hand, the appropriate surgery designed to relieve that pressure should be performed on the area. This surgery can usually be performed through very small incisions. It is important to know that Dr. Polsen performs over 95% of these surgeries endoscopically. Having your carpal tunnel surgery performed endoscopically can dramatically decrease the amount of post operative pain and dramatically decrease the amount of time needed to start using your hand in a normal manner. This surgery consists of making a small incision in the palm, and then cutting the transverse carpal ligament, relieving the pressure on your media nerve. Because carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by pressure on the media nerve, this procedure is designed to eliminate the pain, discomfort, and numbness caused by carpal tunnel syndrome. The ligament, now cut, will eventually fill with scar tissue, and should no longer produce pressure. It is extremely important to note that this is a time sensitive condition. In other words, if a patient waits too long, or there is too much pressure on the nerve, sometimes the patient’s symptoms will be irreversible, very similar to other permanent nerve injuries. Nevertheless, it is equally important to have the surgical procedure and relieve the pressure on the nerve so that the patient’s symptoms are at least halted, and there is no further progression or worsening of symptoms.

Dr. Polsen also performs a number of other types of hand surgeries at his practice in League City and should be contacted immediately in the case of an emergency.

Recovery

Your hand surgery recovery will be determined by the procedure that you undergo. In the case of carpal tunnel surgery, for example, most patients can return home the same day, but must keep their wrist in a splint for one week. Dr. Polsen gives every patient detailed after-care instructions to ensure that all his hand surgery patients have a pleasant and complication-free recovery. Dr. Polsen will likely schedule a follow up visit in order to clear you to use your healing hand.