Hand Surgery
Welcome to the research area of Hand Surgery
Contact information
Department of Hand Surgery, University of Gothenburg
Postal address: Göteborgsvägen 31, SE 431 80 Mölndal, Sweden
Visiting address: R-huset, floor 7, Mölndal Hospital
About hand surgery
Hand surgery has a strong connection to Gothenburg, it was here that the first ward for hand surgery in Sweden was established in the late 1940s with Erik Moberg as head.
The human hand has a complex anatomy. Hand surgery is “the surgery of sliding surfaces” and the function of the hand is based on an interaction between a number of movable anatomical structures but also on an interaction between the peripheral nerves that control muscles and convey sensation and the brain.
The hand can be seen as a sensory organ The hand can be seen as - an extension of the brain towards the outside world. The hands’ ability to fine motor skills and power grip plays a decisive role and a hand injury or a disease that affects the hands can create major problems in working life and for the possibilities of experiencing a meaningful leisure time.
We are often unaware that many everyday tasks - such as buttoning a button, unlocking a door or writing a text message are actually complicated precision movements, which can be impossible to perform even after a mild hand injury or a mild disease that affects the hand. One should also not forget the central role of the hand in body language and in every person’s communication with the outside world. Sensation and touch are central in a handshake and in a caress. The unprotected hand’s constant exposure to the outside world creates special problems with malformations, scars or deformities due to injury or disease.
Focus
The research focus on the area has several different research directions that are conducted in close collaboration with several areas within the Sahlgrenska Academy, at the University of Gothenburg, but also with international partners. The research focuses on; cerebral effects of nerve injuries in the hand; how to use the brain’s plasticity to improve the treatment of nerve injuries; hand transplantation and microsurgery; reconstruction of hand function in patients with tetraplegia; arthroplasty in wrist and hand; Optimal treatment of Dupuytren’s contracture; treatment of flexor tendon injuries; virtual operation planning and design of patient-specific saw-and drill guides for skeletal reconstruction; development of artificial hands.