Hand and Peripheral Nerve

Plastic Surgery

At USF Health we are centered on functional restoration and improving the quality of life for patients with severe upper and lower extremity injuries, nerve injuries, oncologic defects and limb-threatening conditions. We are focused on advanced vascular imaging and perfusion assessment for reconstructive planning, as well as outcomes and the social determinants of reconstructive care.

Our specialist Dr. Andrew Abadeer is a fellowship-trained, highly experienced plastic surgeon specializing in hand and peripheral nerve surgery, limb salvage and complex extremity reconstruction at USF Health. Dr. Abadeer and his team are deeply committed to delivering compassionate, cutting-edge, and transparent care that prioritizes each patient’s unique health needs.

Peripheral Nerve Functions

Peripheral nerves serve different functions:

Autonomic Nerves: digestion, breathing, thyroid and heart function which are considered unconscious functions are regulated by the autonomic nerves. Damage to these nerves cause symptoms that include excessive sweating, intolerance to heat and gastrointestinal issues.
Motor Nerves: walking talking, holding items, are affected by the motor nerves, which are regulated by your conscious control. If the motors nerves become damaged you may feel muscle twitching, painful cramps or muscle weakness.
Sensory Nerves: touch, pain, and temperature are relayed to your brain by the sensory nerves. If the sensory nerves become damaged you may experience difficulty standing with your eyes closed, tingling or numbness in your hands and feet, trouble performing tasks such as fastening a button and experience pain and changes in body temperature.

Causes of Peripheral Nerve Damage

Peripheral nerve damage can be traced to various sources: including accidents, sports injuries, cuts, and chronic medical conditions such as, but not limited to diabetes, and lupus.

Procedures and Treatments

Hand and Upper Extremity

Treatment of hand injuries and complex hand trauma including fracture fixation of the distal radius, finger and hand repair and reconstruction for tendon injuries and disorders
Diagnosis and treatment of osteoarthritis and inflammatory arthritis, basal joint (thumb CMC) arthroplasty and wrist and finger joint arthroscopy.
Management and treatment of peripheral nerve compression syndromes, injuries and lacerations, carpal tunnel and cubital tunnel syndrome, trigger finger / thumb release, Dupuytren’s fasciectomy / fasciotomy and ganglion cysts and soft tissue masses

Extremity Reconstruction and Limb Salvage

Management of complex traumatic extremity injuries, limb-threatening chronic non-healing wounds, oncologic soft tissue defects following resection and infected or compromised tissue
Microsurgical free flap reconstruction, pedicled and perforator flap reconstruction, complex wound closure, soft tissue coverage and skin grafting

Nerve and Specialized Reconstruction

Management of peripheral nerve injuries (traumatic, compressive or oncologic), painful neuromas, brachial plexus injuries and post-amputation pain and phantom limb pain
Advanced nerve reconstruction and surgery including nerve grafting and repair, nerve transfers for motor and sensory restoration, targeted muscle reinnervation (TMR), regenerative peripheral nerve interface (RPNI) and neuroma excision and management