A hand surgeon is a medical doctor who specializes in treating and healing hand injuries. Hand surgery is an interesting medical specialty that arose out of necessity during World War II. Due to the high number of soldiers who suffered hand injuries during WWII, military surgeons saw the need for specialized training in this area.
Simple hand wounds hardly ever healed properly due to a lack of proper care until the field of hand surgery was established. Hand surgeons were able to effectively treat those who were injured in the hand area after the invention of hand surgery. Hand surgery is now considered a sub-specialty of surgery, and most hand surgeons have received formal training as general surgeons, plastic surgeons, or orthopedic surgeons.
In order to practice surgery, hand surgeons must complete appropriate medical training. In addition, most hand surgeons are required to work in the field for one year. This one-year fellowship is followed a Certificate of Added Qualifications in Hand Surgery exam in the United States. Surgeons are permitted to practice either privately or publicly after passing this examination.
A hand surgeon’s title is a little misleading because they often work on the fingers, wrist, and forearm in addition to the hand. Some surgeons will also look at the elbow, shoulder, and arm. A hand surgeon can treat almost any infection, wound, or deterioration of the hand. Hand surgeons are the first line of treatment for any arm or hand injury.
Hand surgeons try to heal patients without resorting to surgery as much as possible. Surgical methods may be used if other forms of medical attention have failed to heal a hand wound. Nonetheless, avoiding complex hand surgery is in the best interests of both the patient and the surgeon. A hand surgeon can work in hospitals, clinics, private homes, or start his or her own practice.
Hand surgery is not a popular surgical specialty, but there is a high demand for hand surgeons. Job openings for hand surgeons can be found scouring job boards or speaking with hospital administrators. Working in a related medical environment is the best way for a recent medical graduate to get a job as a hand surgeon.
Hand surgery internships frequently result in a permanent position in the field of hand surgery. In fact, having extensive work experience makes it easier to obtain a position as a hand surgeon.