EXPERT
Dr. Christopher Lovell Hankins, M.D.
Hand Surgeon
Dr. Christopher Lovell Hankins M.D. is a top Plastic and Hand Surgeon in Houston, . With a passion for the field and an unwavering commitment to their specialty, Dr. Christopher Lovell Hankins M.D. is an expert in changing the lives of their patients for the better. Through their designated cause and expertise in the field, Dr. Christopher Lovell Hankins M.D. is a prime example of a true leader in healthcare. As a leader and expert in their field, Dr. Christopher Lovell Hankins M.D. is passionate about enhancing patient quality of life. They embody the values of communication, safety, and trust when dealing directly with patients. In Houston, TX, Dr. Christopher Lovell Hankins M.D. is a true asset to their field and dedicated to the profession of medicine.
Dr. Christopher Lovell Hankins, M.D.
- Houston, TX
- Accepting new patients
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I am experiencing numbness in my hands after a cancer treatment. Should I visit a doctor?
Numbness in the hands is most commonly from carpal tunnel syndrome but osteoarthritis of the cervical spine may also be a contributing cause as this may result in compression of READ MORE
Numbness in the hands is most commonly from carpal tunnel syndrome but osteoarthritis of the cervical spine may also be a contributing cause as this may result in compression of the nerves leaving the cervical spine. You would need to have a comprehensive hand examination and if indicated, nerve conduction studies/electromyography to determine the cause.
I am experiencing stiffness in my finger after an injury. What could be the reason?
You would need a complete history and examination of the hand by either a plastic surgeon with an interest in hand or an orthopedic surgeon with an interest in hand. After the READ MORE
You would need a complete history and examination of the hand by either a plastic surgeon with an interest in hand or an orthopedic surgeon with an interest in hand. After the examination, x-rays would then be obtained. Your stiffness could be due to either a soft tissue or bony injury. Only a comprehensive work up would reveal the cause of your stiffness.
I have a ganglion cyst in my left wrist
Ganglion cysts of the wrist are not uncommon. Approximately 80% occur on the dorsum or the back of the wrist whereas 20% occur on the volar or palmar side of the wrist. Ganglions READ MORE
Ganglion cysts of the wrist are not uncommon. Approximately 80% occur on the dorsum or the back of the wrist whereas 20% occur on the volar or palmar side of the wrist. Ganglions on the dorsum of the wrist can be drained but those on the volar side should not be due to their proximity to the radial artery. Ganglions that have been drained have a high recurrence rate. The definitive treatment of a wrist ganglion is surgery.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
In answering this question, I am making the assumption that you have seen a hand or plastic surgeon, have undergone a physical examination and have had a nerve conduction study. READ MORE
In answering this question, I am making the assumption that you have seen a hand or plastic surgeon, have undergone a physical examination and have had a nerve conduction study. There are a number of conservative measures that can be taken if the symptoms are of recent onset, such as activity modification, splinting at night and steroid injections to the carpal tunnel. However, if the symptoms do not go away completely within a short period of time, i.e., two weeks, it is best to undergo a decompression of the carpal tunnel, as the longer the compression of the median nerve (the nerve in the carpal tunnel) persists, the greater the risk of permanent nerve injury.
In 2007, I authored a paper that was published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery that reviewed a total of 14,722 patients with carpal tunnel syndrome who were treated with the endoscopic technique, the largest retrospective series published to date. What I noted from the data collected from this series of patients, was the direct correlation of the duration of symptoms and the incidence of permanent nerve injury. Moreover, review of the data also showed that the incidence of complications was much lower for the endoscopic over the open technique.
I recommend the endoscopic technique of release over the open technique for the following reasons: 1) The recovery time is much quicker. Most people can return to a desk job within a week of the surgery. I have seen patients return to work even faster if they were self-employed or they thought that their job was in jeopardy even though that was not recommended. With the open technique, the recovery can be as long as six weeks; 2) The safety record of the endoscopic technique as detailed above; 3) The lower scar burden associated with the endoscopic technique. Only the transverse carpal ligament is divided in the endoscopic technique, whereas in the open technique every layer of tissue from the surface of the nerve to the skin is divided, resulting in obliteration of gliding mechanism between the various tissue layers as they are now tethered with scar; and 4) The procedure only takes a few minutes to perform in experienced hands.
To summarize, in the case that conservative measures fail to completely relieve your symptoms within a two week period, surgical decompression should not be delayed. Endoscopic carpal tunnel release is safe and has a shorter recovery period than the open approach.
In 2007, I authored a paper that was published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery that reviewed a total of 14,722 patients with carpal tunnel syndrome who were treated with the endoscopic technique, the largest retrospective series published to date. What I noted from the data collected from this series of patients, was the direct correlation of the duration of symptoms and the incidence of permanent nerve injury. Moreover, review of the data also showed that the incidence of complications was much lower for the endoscopic over the open technique.
I recommend the endoscopic technique of release over the open technique for the following reasons: 1) The recovery time is much quicker. Most people can return to a desk job within a week of the surgery. I have seen patients return to work even faster if they were self-employed or they thought that their job was in jeopardy even though that was not recommended. With the open technique, the recovery can be as long as six weeks; 2) The safety record of the endoscopic technique as detailed above; 3) The lower scar burden associated with the endoscopic technique. Only the transverse carpal ligament is divided in the endoscopic technique, whereas in the open technique every layer of tissue from the surface of the nerve to the skin is divided, resulting in obliteration of gliding mechanism between the various tissue layers as they are now tethered with scar; and 4) The procedure only takes a few minutes to perform in experienced hands.
To summarize, in the case that conservative measures fail to completely relieve your symptoms within a two week period, surgical decompression should not be delayed. Endoscopic carpal tunnel release is safe and has a shorter recovery period than the open approach.
