Trigger finger, a condition where the fingers become stiff and difficult to bend, can severely impact hand mobility. If left untreated, it can interfere with daily activities. To address this, dr. Jecky Chandra, M.Kes, Sp.OT(K), CIPS, AIFO-K from Mandaya Royal Puri Hospital offers the WALANT method (Wide Awake Local Anesthesia No Tourniquet).
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Understanding WALANT: A Surgical Method to Treat Trigger Finger
dr. Jecky is a specialist in orthopedic surgery with subspecialties in hand, upper limb, and microsurgery. Among his many orthopedic skills, WALANT stands out as one of the most notable.
WALANT, short for Wide Awake Local Anesthesia No Tourniquet, is a surgical technique used to treat hand and wrist conditions (including fingers) while the patient remains awake. Before the procedure, the doctor administers a local anesthetic, numbing the surgical area while the patient stays conscious.
During the WALANT procedure, no tourniquet or general anesthesia is used. Instead, a special anesthetic is applied to ensure the patient feels no pain despite being awake.
For trigger finger cases, the surgeon may need to repair or reposition the tendon. The patient’s consciousness during the procedure allows them to provide real-time feedback if the tendon feels too tight or loose. This level of interaction wouldn’t be possible under general anesthesia and could affect surgical outcomes.
Conditions Treatable with the WALANT Method
WALANT enables optimal recovery of hand and finger function, allowing patients to return to normal use of their hands. This method is especially beneficial for injuries that impair motor function, such as grip strength, finger flexibility, and coordination.
This functional recovery is essential, particularly for athletes (e.g., tennis, badminton, basketball players) and artists (e.g., pianists, guitarists, violinists) who rely heavily on precise finger strength and coordination.
In addition to trigger finger, here are other conditions that can be treated with WALANT:
- Nerve compression
- Tendon disorders or repairs
- Carpal tunnel release
- Trigger finger release
- Finger sensory block
- Soft tissue finger lesions
- PIP fusions (surgery to straighten and fuse toe joints)
- Thumb MCP fusions (fusion of thumb’s metacarpophalangeal joint)
- Collateral ligament tears of the MCP joint
- Dupuytren’s contracture (a condition that causes fingers to bend toward the palm)
- Flexor tendon repairs
- Ligament repairs
- Fracture fixation (surgery to stabilize broken bones)
- Arthritis-related conditions
- Mass removal
Advantages of the WALANT Method
WALANT offers several benefits:
- The procedure is more practical as it doesn’t require general anesthesia preparation.
- Faster recovery time means shorter hospital stays.
- Patients can observe the repair process and test hand movement during surgery, boosting motivation for post-op therapy and rehabilitation.
- No need for a tourniquet.
- Patients aren’t required to fast or adjust their medication schedules—this is especially helpful for people with diabetes.
- The risk associated with surgery is lower as general anesthesia is not used.
- Overall, the procedure has been proven to be safe.
dr. Jecky’s Schedule at Mandaya Royal Puri Hospital
dr. Jecky is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in hand, upper limb, and microsurgery, practicing at Mandaya Royal Puri Hospital.
In addition to his expertise in WALANT, he is also skilled in stem cell therapy and secretome injections. He is certified in both stem cell and secretome procedures.
You can meet dr. Jecky Chandra, M.Kes, Sp.OT(K), CIPS, AIFO-K at Mandaya Royal Puri Hospital on the following schedule:
- Monday: 08:00 – 12:00 WIB
- Tuesday: 08:00 – 12:00 WIB
- Wednesday: 13:00 – 17:00 WIB
- Thursday: 13:00 – 17:00 WIB
- Friday: 08:00 – 12:00 WIB
- Saturday: 17:00 – 20:00 WIB
If you wish to consult with Dr. Jecky, don’t hesitate to visit Mandaya Royal Puri Hospital. Use the WhatsApp Chat feature, Book Appointment, or the Care Dokter app—available on Google Play and the App Store—to simplify your visit, check your queue number, and access complete information.
