Hand surgeon Munir Patel, M.D., helps patients find relief from arthritis pain

“Hands are how we interact with the world,” says Munir Patel, M.D., a plastic and reconstructive surgeon at the Center for Plastic Surgery at Sentara Princess Anne & Fort Norfolk. With specialized training in hand surgery, Dr. Patel makes those daily interactions easier for patients with arthritis and other issues affecting the wrist and hand.

Hand surgery to treat pain and improve function

Dr. Patel was born in Chicago and grew up in California. He had an early interest in medicine and, after high school, enrolled in the internationally renowned accelerated medical school program at the University of Missouri in Kansas City. From there, he received training in general surgery, plastic and reconstructive surgery and hand surgery.

“I was drawn to the complexity of the hand,” Dr. Patel says. “If one thing goes wrong, the whole system can fail. Yet surgery can correct those problems to ease pain and improve function.”

Arthritis is one of the most common causes of hand pain. Osteoarthritis develops in most people over time, as constant use wears away the cartilage in the hands. The condition occurs frequently in middle-aged and older adults, causing pain and stiffness that can make it hard to grip and hold objects.

“Most older adults have some osteoarthritis in their thumb or fingers, since we use those joints so much,” Dr. Patel says. “Often, people think they just have to live with the pain and difficulty. But there are procedures that can lessen the pain and allow the hand to function better.”

Joint replacement and joint fusion for arthritis

Arthritis surgery can be done in patients with osteoarthritis or other forms of joint disease, such as autoimmune arthritis. Treatment options vary, depending on the joints affected, the type of arthritis and the extent of the arthritic disease.

Dr. Patel explains two common procedures that can help:

Joint replacement

Dr. Patel removes the portion of the joint damaged by arthritis. Then he replaces it with a joint made of silicone or carbon fiber. This procedure allows patients to retain normal joint movement. Joint replacement surgery can be performed on the knuckles (most commonly, the knuckles closest to the palm) and, sometimes, on the wrist.

Joint fusion

In joint fusions, Dr. Patel removes the damaged joint, then attaches the remaining bones together with pins or screws. As the bones heal, they fuse, eliminating movement at that joint. “Because the joint is placed in a functional position, however, patients can still go about their daily lives—typically with much less pain,” he says. While joint replacements can only be performed in certain joints, joint fusions are often an option in any joint of the fingers or thumbs, he adds.

Hand surgery can significantly reduce pain and enhance quality of life, Dr. Patel says. Operations aren’t for everyone, however. “Patients should try anti-inflammatories and other medications first. If those don’t help, we can try steroid injections, which can calm inflammation and reduce pain,” he says. “But if those treatments aren’t working, I encourage patients to come in and talk about whether surgery could help.”

Background

Dr. Patel completed his general surgery residency at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and a residency in plastic and reconstructive surgery at Cleveland Clinic Florida. He then completed a fellowship in hand surgery at the University of Miami/Jackson Health System.
Dr. Patel is board-certified by the American Board of Surgery and board-eligible for the American Board of Plastic Surgery.

While he has specialized training and interest in the full breadth of hand surgery, Dr. Patel performs a wide range of plastic and reconstructive procedures, including cosmetic surgery, peripheral nerve surgery, lymphedema surgery and complex microsurgery, which uses high-powered magnification to repair tiny structures such as nerves and blood vessels.

Dr. Patel and his wife live in Norfolk, where they love spending time near the water. Outside of work, he enjoys weightlifting, basketball and tennis and describes himself as a big movie buff.

Dr. Patel sees patients at the Center for Plastic Surgery at Sentara Princess Anne & Fort Norfolk. To schedule an appointment, call 757-507-0720.