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Orthopaedic & Sports
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@bbthe36

lumpy firm area around surgical incision site

 


I'm 4 weeks post-op hand surgery for flexor tendon repair & digital nerve repair for the ring finger. I have this lumpy area (quite firm & raised) of prominence around my surgical incision site. I can't make a fist all the way with my ring finger without feeling like a "ball inside in my hand" impeding ROM because of the raised area.


-Is this normal? 

-Will this flatten out over time, to a point where I'd be able to make a fist without the ball in hand feeling?


-Is what I have considered hypertrophic or keloid scarring?


All the hand surgery scars I see online are all flat so that's why I'm so concerned because mine is so raised and hard.
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    Dr. Ken J T
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    Hello, it looks like the skin scar itself is ok, but that there is a lump internally. This is most likely due to scarring over the tendon repair internally, and is quite common. You may want to work with a hand therapist especially if your motion is still  impeded. It generally should improve with time. Hope that helps!
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    Thanks doc!
    whats the general timeline for the scar improvement?

     how long will it usually take for it to flatten out? or will i always have a firm lump in my hand, albeit a little smaller?

    I was reading online that you can't get rid of scar tissue once it's formed.
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    Orthopaedic & Sports
    Orthopedics is a medical specialty that focuses on the diagnosis, correction, prevention, and treatment of patients with skeletal deformities - disorders of the bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons, nerves and skin. These elements make up the musculoskeletal system. Your body's musculoskeletal system is a complex system of bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles and nerves and allows you to move, work and be active. Once devoted to the care of children with spine and limb deformities, orthopedics now cares for patients of all ages, from newborns with clubfeet, to young athletes requiring arthroscopic surgery, to older people with arthritis. The physicians who specialize in this area are called orthopedic surgeons or orthopedists.
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