Wide-Awake Hand Surgery
So many daily tasks require the use of your hands and wrists, and when they're injured or affected by a chronic condition, you need a solution that works. From tendon and ligament injuries to issues with your carpal tunnel, wrist and hand surgery can be used to treat a number of problems that cause pain and limitation in your daily life. Sometimes, however, a typical surgical procedure is not a patient's best option, and at Vero Orthopaedics, we offer care plans and surgical treatment options that are right for you.
Fellowship-trained, board-certified hand surgeon Joao (Joe) Panattoni, M.D., offers procedures using a state-of-the-art method called the wide-awake local anesthesia, no tourniquet technique. This technique, also known as WALANT, offers a safe alternative for patients who are at risk of complications under general anesthesia.
What are the benefits of wide-awake local anesthesia, no tourniquet procedures?
Patients with a variety of symptoms and conditions can quickly and safely experience relief and restored function through this leading-edge technique. Wide-awake hand surgery and WALANT wrist procedures feature the following benefits:
- Quicker recovery after surgery
- Significantly lower cost of care with WALANT wrist and hand surgery
- Reduced risk of complications, including side effects with sedation or general anesthesia
- Local anesthesia, which eliminates the need for patients to go off of blood thinners (anticoagulant medication) before surgery
- The technique allows your surgeon to ensure your hand and wrist function during surgery instead of after, reducing the need for follow-up procedures as well as the overall surgery time
Both wrist and hand surgeries using the wide-awake method do not require an operating room. We are proud to offer a state-of-the-art procedure room in our new building, where the WALANT procedures are done. There is no sedation, and patients are not fully put under anesthesia. Only local anesthesia using a combination of lidocaine and epinephrine is used, providing safety and comfort for the patient throughout the surgery.
Though you will be awake, a cover will be provided over the surgical site, so you will not need to watch your surgeon completing any repairs or reconstruction. Your surgeon will keep you as comfortable as possible, and you will be able to go home the same day.
Is a wide-awake procedure right for me and my condition?
Wide-awake hand surgeries can be used to treat many different hand and wrist conditions, including:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Dupuytren's contracture
- Flexor tendon damage or injuries
- Hand trauma injuries
- Ligament injuries
- Nerve injuries
- Tendonitis (or tendinitis)
- Trigger finger
If surgical treatment is indicated for your condition, you may be a good candidate for this care option, especially if general anesthesia poses the risk of complications to your health. Younger and older patients can benefit from this treatment, and your surgeon will be able to determine if this option will work best for you based on your diagnosis, overall health, and lifestyle needs and goals.
Carpal tunnel syndrome, flexor tendon issues, and a number of other conditions can also be addressed with nonsurgical treatments. These include splinting or bracing, physical therapy, and injections. Dr. Panattoni will work closely with you to ensure you get the care plan you need.
Surgeries that can be performed using the wide-awake technique include:
- Endoscopic carpal tunnel release
- Endoscopic cubital tunnel release
- Trigger finger release
- De Quervain’s tenosynovitis surgery
- Flexor tendon repair
- Extensor tendon repair
- Tendon transfer
- Mass excision
- Foreign body removal
- Minimally invasive Dupuytren's contracture release
Why choose Vero Orthopaedics?
As a fellowship-trained and board-certified orthopaedic hand surgeon, Dr. Joao (Joe) Panattoni offers the highest level of compassionate, personalized care for hand and wrist injuries and conditions. He has an intimate knowledge of the nerves, bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage of the upper extremity as well as how to repair damage, relieve symptoms of pain and limitation, and restore function. In addition to traditional hand and wrist treatments, Dr. Panattoni has extensive experience with WALANT procedures for the hand and wrist for patients in the Vero Beach area, from carpal tunnel surgery to complex tendon repair.
To find out if wide-awake hand surgery is right for you, schedule an appointment with Dr. Panattoni in Vero Beach or Sebastian by calling (772) 569-2330 or schedule an appointment online.