Understand the diagnostic process for Hand Surgery. Learn about high-resolution MRI, ultrasound, and the specialized clinical evaluations used at Liv Hospital.
Send us all your questions or requests, and our expert team will assist you.
Diagnosis and Imaging
The journey toward a successful Hand Surgery begins with a meticulously structured diagnostic evaluation. Because hand pain can be referred from the neck or caused by complex internal structures, a physical exam alone is rarely sufficient. When you visit a specialist at Liv Hospital, the process starts with a detailed medical history where the clinician asks about the onset of your symptoms and how they impact your fine motor skills. The goal of this evaluation is to provide objective evidence of structural or neurological failure and to determine if a surgical intervention is the most appropriate next step for your health.
The first line of diagnosis involves a hands-on assessment of your hand’s flexibility, strength, and nerve function.
These clinical signs provide the surgeon with an initial blueprint. If the joint feels stable but the strength is lacking, it is a strong indicator that the tendons or nerves are compromised, justifying further investigation for Hand Surgery.
X-rays are the foundational imaging tool for evaluating the need for Hand Surgery. They provide a clear view of the relationship between the small bones of the hand and wrist.
At Liv Hospital, we use digital X-ray technology to ensure the highest resolution images with minimal radiation exposure, providing a clear view of the skeletal framework.
While X-rays show the bone, an MRI is essential for viewing the “hidden” soft tissues. This is especially important for planning Hand and Microsurgery.
An MRI provides the clinical team with a visual blueprint of the internal environment, ensuring that any subsequent Hand Surgery addresses the surrounding soft tissue health as well as the bone.
Diagnostic ultrasound is a dynamic tool that allows clinicians to see the hand’s structures in motion.
This non-invasive tool is excellent for a quick bedside assessment and helps the team at Liv Hospital decide which higher-level scans are necessary to complete the diagnostic picture for Hand Surgery.
In complex clinical cases, especially those involving intricate wrist fractures (like the scaphoid bone), a CT scan may be recommended.
Using high-tech CT protocols ensures that the surgical team has a complete map of your skeletal frame, ensuring that every part of the repair is positioned with accuracy.
To assess the “functional” health of the nerves, neurological testing is mandatory before most nerve-related Hand Surgery.
Treating the hand without confirming the nerve function is only half the battle. These tests help the team at Liv Hospital ensure that the surgery is targeted at the correct location.
In some clinical cases, a diagnostic injection is used to confirm that the pain is definitely originating from a specific joint or tendon sheath.
This functional test ensures that the Hand Surgery will actually solve the patient’s problem, preventing unnecessary procedures and focusing care where it is most needed.
Because hand health is often a reflection of overall systemic wellness, blood work is often part of our evaluation.
Treating the physical hand without addressing the underlying systemic health is only half the battle. A full evaluation ensures that your body is optimized to support the recovery after Hand and Microsurgery.
The end goal of the diagnostic phase is to reach a clear and confident management plan. Once all tests are completed—physical exam, imaging, and labs—your specialist will sit down with you to review the findings. At Liv Hospital, we believe in a transparent diagnostic process. If the evidence shows that your hand needs structural or microsurgical repair, we will discuss the Hand Surgery in detail, ensuring you are an active participant in your recovery roadmap.
Send us all your questions or requests, and our expert team will assist you.
No, the scan is painless. But if you’re claustrophobic, lying still with your hand in a scanner for 30-45 minutes can be uncomfortable. The machine is also loud.
Usually, yes. Modern titanium implants are MRI-safe. However, they can cause “artifacts” (blurry spots) on the image near the metal. Always tell the technician about any implants.
Yes. The EMG portion involves inserting thin needles into muscles. It can be uncomfortable, but most patients tolerate it well. The shocks in the NCS part feel like a static electricity snap.
For some MRIs, a dye (gadolinium) is injected into the vein or directly into the joint (arthrogram). This helps highlight tears in small ligaments or cartilage that would otherwise be invisible.
Digital X-rays are available immediately. Your surgeon can review them with you in the exam room during your visit. A radiologist typically takes a day or two to read MRI and CT reports.
