Amitabh Bachchan, the beloved Bollywood legend recently shared a few images to his Tumblr blog where he can be seen wearing a hand brace and talking to Akshay Kumar. Explaining his meeting with Kumar in detail, Amitabh Bachchan captioned the image, “And an explanation to him about the surgery on my hand.” While he did not disclose the reason why he had to undergo this procedure, here are a few medical conditions that may warrant a hand surgery:
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
One of the most common reasons individuals seek hand surgery is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS). Talking to the team of OnlyMyHealth, Dr Debashish Chanda, Lead consultant - Department of Orthopedics, CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram explained, “CTS is caused when the median nerve gets compressed probably due to weightlifting, gaming activities, using a mouse, sudden weight gain, excessive phone use and pregnancy.”
Dr Chanda shared that CTS pain is usually felt in the hand and wrist, and can be especially unbearable at night. In an overview authored by Michigan State University and Penn Highlands Healthcare System, the incidence of CTS ranges from 1-5% worldwide and it affects more females than males.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Dr R A Purnachandra Tejaswi, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon with Special Interest in Sports Medicine, Reconstructive Arthroscopy and Joint Preservation Surgery, Yashoda Hospitals, Hyderabad, “Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease in which the body develops antibodies against its own cells, causing inflammation.” According to Arthritis India data, RA affects close to 0.92% of the Indian adult population.
Dupuytren's Contracture
Johns Hopkins Medicine shared that Dupuytren's Contracture is a condition characterised by an abnormal thickening of the tissue beneath the skin of the hand, leading to the formation of knots or cords. As these cords tighten, fingers may be pulled towards the palm, restricting movement.
Hand surgery is the most common treatment modality to treat Dupuytren's Contracture to release the tightened tissue, restoring hand function.
Trigger Finger
“Trigger finger results from inflammation within the tendon sheath, causing fingers to lock or catch when bent,” explained Dr Preshith Gaddam, Consultant Orthopedic Surgeon, Yashoda Hospitals, Hyderabad, while talking to the team of OnlyMyHealth. Talking about the causes of the trigger finger, Dr Gaddam shared that even excessive scrolling on your smartphones can lead to this disorder.
He shared that hand surgery can address this issue by releasing the affected tendon sheath, allowing for smoother movement of the finger without the discomfort associated with the trigger finger.
Fractures and Trauma
Another common, and publicly understood reason for undergoing hand surgery is hand fractures or traumatic injuries. These can lead to misalignments, dislocations, or soft tissue damage. In such cases, hand surgery may involve realignment of bones, fixation with hardware, or reconstructive procedures to restore the hand's structural integrity and function.
Tumors and Growths
Finally, benign or malignant tumours in the hand may also necessitate surgery to remove the growth and preserve hand function. According to the American Society for Surgery of the Hand, some common hand tumours are:
- A ganglion cyst tumour
- Giant cell tendon sheath tumor of the thumb
- Epidermal inclusion cyst of the finger: A type of tumour that forms under the skin where there may have been a cut or puncture
The news of Amitabh Bachchan’s hand surgery is the perfect opportunity for you to be more aware of diseases that may affect your hand’s mobility and function. This way you can prevent and be prepared in the case of adverse circumstances that may necessitate hand surgery. By recognising the signs, seeking early intervention, and collaborating with skilled healthcare professionals, you can be empowered to reclaim the dexterity and quality of life associated with healthy hands.