Other Hand Surgeries in Mullica Hill & Gloucester County, NJ

Trigger finger syndrome is the condition where tendons of the finger joint swell due to overuse, thereby "locking" the finger into a fixed position. The most common treatment of trigger finger is with an injection of steroids into the flexor tendon sheath. The cortisone injection should decrease the swelling within the tendon, and restore the normal mechanisms of the flexor tendon mechanism. If the problem does not resolve, a surgery to release the tendon may be warranted. This procedure is a same day surgery that can be performed by Dr. Bidic and Dr. Gundlapalli under local anesthetic or regional nerve block. Under most conditions, this procedure can be performed in the office. He will make a small incision in the skin to release the tight tunnel overlying the flexor tendons in the palm. The patient will be moving the finger immediately after surgery and showering the next day.

Osteoarthritis is also called degenerative arthritis because it is primarily caused by wear and tear of a joint over the course of time. Osteoarthritis at the base of the thumb is the most common form of degenerative arthritis of the upper extremity because of the heavy use and importance of the thumb in activities of daily living. Patients always complain of the inability to open jars. The second most common area of the hand with osteoarthritis is at the finger joint just before the nailbed. This presents with a cyst on the joint and often with a groove in the nail. Dr. Bidic has the knowledge and experience to offer a wide range of treatment procedures for patients who suffer from osteoarthritis. Importantly, surgery is not the first line of treatment. Splinting, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication (like ibuprofen) and steroid injections can often dramatically improve the symptoms associated with degenerative osteoarthritis of the hand. Dr. Bidic has extensive experience surgically treating these conditions if conservative management is insufficient to return the patient to normal activity. Certainly, if you suffer from these conditions, consider scheduling a consultation with Dr. Bidic to determine which treatment is right for you.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that affects the body's joints, causing pain, swelling and stiffness. There is no cure for this disease and the exact cause or causes are largely unknown. In most cases, rheumatoid arthritis often starts in middle age and is most common in older people. In some people, the symptoms can occur and then disappear after a few years, while others suffer for a lifetime. Fortunately, early diagnosis along with disease modifying drugs and other medications have greatly improved the outcomes that most patients can expect. Most cases can now be medically managed with a Rheumatologist. In some cases, the long-term effects of rheumatoid arthritis can eventually result in bone erosion, joint deformity, and tendon rupture. Bone erosion causing severe joint pain and debilitating deformity can be successfully treated with silicone joint replacements and tendon ruptures can be treated with tendon transfers. Dr. Bidic has successfully operated on many patients with rheumatoid disease.

Most tumors, masses or ganglia of the hand and wrist are benign. There are many causes of these bumps, lumps and masses that appear in this area of the body. However, the exact nature and cause of such masses can often only be determined through a targeted history and physical examination in conjunction with the appropriate imaging studies including x-ray or MRI. There are several treatment options available to the afflicted patient, ranging from simple rest to surgical intervention to help relieve discomfort and pain and to provide an exact diagnosis. A complete examination by Dr. Bidic will best determine the right course of treatment for you. If you are suffering from an unwanted lump or mass on your hand or wrist, consider scheduling a consultation with Dr. Bidic.

Birth defects, or more appropriately called 'congenital differences', are quite common in the hand. Some of the most common abnormalities include extra digits and webbed fingers or toes. Although most of these conditions are not operatively repaired until the child is between six months to two years, the evaluation should be performed as early as possible so that the caregivers can understand the issues and a carefully scheduled course of therapy can be determined. Fortunately, Dr. Bidic has treated many congential hand differences throughout his career. These are very rewarding cases for Dr. Bidic because an excellent result will long outlive the surgeon himself. His knowledge and experience will prove to be invaluable in determining the right treatment for your child's condition.

Flexor tendon lacerations in the hand can result from various injuries and present a real challenge in treatment. Because of their importance to hand and wrist motion, injuries to the flexor tendon can be extremely disabling. Most of these acute injuries require surgical repair and it is best to have the surgery soon after the injury. Surgical reconstruction of the tendon itself may be required if a too much time has passed, inadequate operative intervention has been performed, or an inadequate therapy protocol was initiated post-operatively. Urgently, the specific function of the tendon must be tested to determine if the loss of function is partial or complete and any other related losses that may have happened such as nerve lacerations. The importance of a fellowship-trained hand surgeon cannot be overstressed for the appropriate care of tendon injuries. Evaluation, operative management and guidance with post-operative therapy are of great importance in the attempt to restore the function of the hand. Of course, if you are suffering from this type of injury, immediate medical attention is of utmost importance. Dr. Bidic has the knowledge and experience to help you with the right course of treatment.

Lacerated nerves often cause severe pain and can lead to lost function or muscle movement in the affected area. Only if the nerve is surgically repaired soon after injury will it be possible to avoid using nerve grafting. Electrical nerve tests are implemented to determine which nerves are functioning and the severity of the damage. Certainly, immediate diagnosis and treatment is essential in the event of nerve laceration. Dr. Bidic has treated many such cases of nerve lacerations over the years. He can help determine the best course of action for your particular needs.

Although fractures of the hand and wrist are fairly common, medical attention should be sought immediately. It is usually obvious to the patient following a fall or other accident when a fracture has occurred. The affected areas are often very painful, swollen and deformed. Diagnosis of the fracture is essential and is obtained through the use of an x-ray, and in some cases a CT scan. There are many methods of treatment for fractures of the fingers, hand, wrist, and distal radius and the particular method of treatment will largely depend on the nature of the fracture itself. Dr. Bidic has diagnosed and treated numerous fractures of the hand and wrist over the course of his career. He has taught hand and wrist fracture management on a national level. He will be best able to suggest the proper treatment for your condition.

Secondary hand surgery can help correct a wide range of functional and cosmetic problems affecting the hand after injury, disease, deformity, or poor outcomes from prior hand surgery. Emergently repairing mangled hands from farm and industrial accidents; replanting amputated fingers, thumbs or hands; re-fracturing and re-setting fractures that have healed incorrectly, and tumor reconstruction, and the proper management of sports-related injuries all fall into this complex hand reconstruction category. As a board-certified hand surgeon, a prior hand surgery program director at two major pediatric and adult trauma centers in Dallas, and an emergency hand surgeon for 14 years - Dr. Bidic has the knowledge and experience to provide the expert diagnosis and treatment for any of your complex hand reconstruction needs.