A crush injury is a devastating event since all anatomic structures in the crushed area are affected. Scar tissue forms more excessively than with other injuries and recovery can be very slow. We specialize in the complex, multi-faceted reconstruction needed to restore maximum possible function to your hand and wrist, offering hope in the face of severe trauma.
Hand crush injuries are devastating events since all anatomic structures in the crushed area are affected. Scar tissue forms more excessively than with other injuries and recovery can be very slow. We specialize in the complex, multi-faceted reconstruction needed to restore maximum possible function to your hand and wrist, offering hope in the face of severe trauma.
A severe crush injury is one of the most challenging traumatic events a person can face, creating immediate pain that can become chronic and a profound fear of permanent disability and the loss of your livelihood. We understand the gravity of your situation. Our practice is dedicated to providing the highest level of surgical expertise to manage these complex injuries and guide you on the long path to recovery.
Treatment of the acute crush injury needs to be managed in a hospital setting where emergency departments can stabilize your condition and dedicated trauma operating rooms can provide initial surgical management. Once that acute treatment is completed and you are discharged from hospital however, subsequent revisions or reconstructions are deemed “elective surgery”. This leaves patients often waiting months or longer for the secondary reconstructions needed to fix fractures that healed in the wrong position or not at all, tendons that have become stuck in scar tissue impeding joint motion, or unsightly scars that need revision. Accessing care for these later reconstructive efforts doesn’t have to wait for months or years.
A crush injury is a massive trauma that damages all of the intricate structures of the hand simultaneously. Unlike a simple fracture, the immense force of a crush injury can have devastating effects on every component required for function:
The outcome of a crush injury repair hinges on the surgeon’s ability to operate on structures that are often less than a millimeter in diameter. This often requires specialized training. Dr. French’s Harvard fellowship in Hand and Microsurgery provides the expertise required for these demanding procedures. His background as a plastic surgeon ensures a comprehensive approach, addressing bone, nerves, vessels, and skin to reconstruct the hand as a whole functional unit.
If you have sustained a severe, traumatic injury, please go to the nearest emergency room or call 911 immediately. Our practice provides specialized consultation and surgical reconstruction for patients once their condition is stable.
