Hand surgery is a relatively recent speciality, the development of which dates back to the Second World War and the creation of the American Society for Hand Surgery. In Europe, this discipline soared from the 1960s onwards with advances made in tendon surgery and the onset of microsurgical techniques. Foot surgery is even more recent than hand surgery.
From the 1970s onwards, anatomical and biomechanical knowledge of the hand was enhanced thanks to microanatomy, especially that of the carpus (wrist bone). The diseases observed come from two major categories: Trauma and ageing with osteoarthritis being the most widespread disease. Hand-brain co-ordination is very important and explains the strong reaction (pain) in the event of problems affecting this key organ in our development.
The hand comprises numerous peripheral nerves, the compression of which, exacerbated by tissue degeneration, triggers “rigidification” amongst other things, which is likely to pose serious problems. The most common compressive syndrome is carpal tunnel syndrome (compression of the median nerve in the wrist), which manifests in the form of numbness, pins and needles, often at night, and pain affecting the thumb, index finger, middle finger (and half of the ring finger), possibly accompanied by pain irradiating upwards to the forearm, elbow and even the shoulder. Both hands are very often affected. Surgery is generally carried out under local (as opposed to general) anaesthesia of the upper limb in an outpatient clinic.
Apart from all of the traumas associated with sporting or professional activities, cumulative trauma disorders/overuse syndrome have/has nowadays been identified. Many of the objects manipulated on a daily basis can become “factors in osteoarthritis”. The knowledge of ergonomics and prevention has greatly advanced. Following the example of other joints, in the event of trauma or degenerative lesions (osteoarthritis), hand implants can be used (prostheses, plates, screws, etc.) initially as conservative therapy (with the aid of corticosteroids, which are well known to rheumatologists, or other visco-complementary techniques) and then as surgical approaches, etc.
The Clinique Générale-Beaulieu is well equipped to carry out hand surgery: Prosthetic material, implants, microscope, etc. to confront all of the problems posed by a highly complex part of our anatomy.
damentally important technique, which is employed not only in Visceral Surgery, but also in Gynaecological and Thoracic Surgery. Thanks to our quality staff and post-operative Units which provide the appropriate care, the Clinique Générale-Beaulieu is able to perform all abdominal and thoracic surgical procedures, from the simplest to the most complex. The only exception to this is organ transplantation, which is practised exclusively in university institutions. Being eager to complete our staff training and pass on our knowledge, the Clinique Générale-Beaulieu has acquired an audiovisual system that broadcasts Surgery directly to the Conference Room, thereby allowing viewers to share in the experience of surgical practice.
