During your consultation, the details of the surgery will be explained you in detail.
This will include:
- Whether the procedure will be carried out as a day case procedure or will require an overnight stay.
- The kind of anaesthetic you will receive, either general anaesthetic where you go to sleep or a local anaesthetic/block where you remain awake during the operation.
- A description of the surgical procedure itself.
- The events after the operation including dressings, the use of a sling, physiotherapy, stitches, pain relief and follow up.
The general benefits and risks associated with upper limb surgery are described below. It is not a comprehensive list of the risks of your specific operation, but aims to help guide you in the consent process and give you an overview. You will be given the specific risks associated with your surgery during your consultation.
Aims
The aim of upper limb surgery is to improve your pain and/or symptoms. It will not give you a perfect arm.
Risks
All operations carry risks. General risks of upper limb surgery are listed below.
Risks include but are not limited to;
- Infection (increased risk if you have diabetes, smoke or are take certain medications)
- Failure of your symptoms to improve
- Worsening of symptoms
- Nerve or blood vessel injury which may lead to permanent loss of function
- Excessive or persistent stiffness requiring further treatment
- Sensitive scars (Within the hand and forearm this includes a condition called Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. This is a rare condition where the nerves around a scar can become hypersensitised. This may require further intervention with a hand therapist and sometimes special medication to settle the nerves).
- Recurrence or persistence of symptoms
- Wound problems
- Need for further surgery
- Heart attack, stroke and blood clots