Orthopedist Alejandro Badia talks about the most common ailments affecting the upper extremities
BY CRISTIAN NOÉ DÁVILA
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), arthritis, and work-related or sports injuries can be relieved through specialized surgical interventions.
CTS is a condition that causes pain and numbness between the thumb and the wrist, due to pressure on the median nerve and several tendons in the area. It is caused by accidents, arthritis, and repetitive movements of the wrist or fingers (moving the mouse and typing). The latter two activities can be classified as occupational injuries, while sports injuries are those that occur while practicing a sport (fractures in the fingers or tendons).
Some solutions
Microsurgery is one of the methods used to treat fractures. It consists of an operation to repair arteries or place prostheses, which is performed with the help of a microscope.
Arthroscopy involves opening small cavities where an arthroscope is introduced—a device with a thin tube based on fiber optic technology, a lens system, a video camera, and a light, which is used to perform arthroscopies. These allow the anatomy of a joint to be seen on a screen. The technique has been used for years to operate on feet, hands, and hips.
The current novelty is that it is also used to operate on fingers, hands, elbows, and shoulders. This method is one of the specialties of Dr. Alejandro Badia—a Cuban surgeon based in the United States, who is considered an expert in the field of hand and upper extremity surgeries.
The specialist was in the country last week to share his professional experience with the Guatemalan orthopedic community. During his stay, he answered some questions related to his work.
What are the most common medical emergencies related to the upper extremities?
Upper limb fractures are more common in athletes and people working in technical areas. However, anyone is at risk of an injury, as a fall at home or on the street can be responsible for future complications.
How delicate and meticulous is microsurgery?
Hand surgery must be precise, since an entire anatomical structure involved in joint function is located in a small area. Therefore, many specialists resort to microsurgery—an operation using a microscope to repair arteries or place prostheses.
Does this profession require exact manual dexterity?
A successful painter merges their skill with training. The same happens in this career; we orthopedists need a lot of experience to offer safety to our patients. In the medical field, learning and training never end.
When is an arthroscopy necessary?
It depends on the problem. If an older person suffering from arthritis gets a fracture, there is no medication that puts the bones back in place. In this case, surgical intervention would be necessary. But if an individual has recurring pain and there is no anatomical malformation, the discomfort could be treated with pills and exercise therapy. However, if the pain is chronic, relevant tests must be done before prescribing surgery. MRI is one of the most current devices to detect fractures that need to be operated on.
How important is it to seek early help?
If a person has damaged tissue and continues with their normal life, the bones retract and weaken. Ideally, the patient should consult their doctor immediately so that the recovery and operation have better results.
CAREER | Achievements
Alejandro Badia is an orthopedic surgeon. He is the founder of the International Orthopedic Group and the Badia Hand to Shoulder Center in Miami, Florida, which is a reference point for correcting injuries and fractures.
Healing
The left image shows a hand with damaged joints. The X-ray on the right shows joint replacement.
