Losing hand mobility after a sports injury can be a nightmare for sports enthusiasts. Limited hand movement caused by injury can prevent patients from engaging in the sports they love. As a solution for hand injuries related to sports, dr. Jecky Chandra, M.Kes, Sp.OT(K), CIPS, AIFO-K from Mandaya Royal Puri Hospital offers Wide-Awake Local Anesthesia No Tourniquet (WALANT) surgery.
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Understanding WALANT Surgery – Hand Surgery While the Patient Is Awake
dr. Jecky is a specialist in orthopedic surgery with a subspecialty in hand, upper limb, and microsurgery at Mandaya Royal Puri Hospital. One of his specialties is performing WALANT procedures.
Typically, surgeries on the hand and wrist involve the use of a tourniquet—a special band placed around the upper arm to restrict blood flow and enhance surgical visibility. However, tourniquets often cause discomfort for patients. To alleviate this, general anesthesia is usually administered to keep the patient asleep during the procedure.
In some cases, however, hand and wrist surgeries are better performed while the patient is awake. This allows the surgeon to give real-time instructions to assess the effectiveness of the procedure.
WALANT is an innovative surgical technique designed for this purpose. It is performed while the patient is fully awake and involves local anesthesia to numb only the surgical area. The patient remains conscious and can communicate with the surgeon throughout the procedure.
What sets WALANT apart from conventional hand surgery is that it does not use a tourniquet or general anesthesia. Instead, special medications are used to eliminate pain effectively without compromising the patient’s awareness.
Conditions That Can Be Treated with WALANT
WALANT surgery significantly improves the recovery of hand and finger function, allowing patients to regain full use of their hands and fingers.
This is especially crucial for those who engage in sports requiring active hand movement—such as basketball, badminton, or tennis.
Additionally, WALANT is beneficial for individuals involved in the arts, such as pianists, violinists, or guitarists, who rely heavily on finger strength and precise coordination.
Conditions that can be treated with WALANT surgery include:
- Nerve compression
- Tendon injuries or repairs
- Carpal tunnel release
- Trigger finger release
- Finger sensory block
- Soft tissue lesions in the fingers
- PIP fusions (surgery to straighten and fuse the proximal interphalangeal joint)
- Thumb MCP fusions (fusion of the metacarpophalangeal joint in the thumb)
- Collateral ligament tears in the MCP joint
- Dupuytren’s contracture (a condition causing fingers to bend toward the palm)
- Flexor tendon repair
- Ligament repair
- Fracture fixation (surgery to stabilize broken or cracked bones)
- Arthritis
- Mass removal
Advantages and Benefits of WALANT Surgery
WALANT surgery offers several advantages:
- The procedure is simpler and does not require general anesthesia preparation.
- Recovery time is faster, allowing for shorter hospital stays.
- Patients can observe the repair process and try moving the treated structure during the procedure, which can boost motivation during rehabilitation.
- No need for a tourniquet, which reduces discomfort during surgery.
- Patients are not required to fast or alter their medication schedule—especially helpful for diabetic patients.
- Safer as it avoids the risks associated with general anesthesia.
- Overall, it is a safe procedure.
dr. Jecky’s Schedule at Mandaya Royal Puri Hospital
dr. Jecky is an orthopedic surgeon at Mandaya Royal Puri Hospital, specializing in hand, upper limb, and microsurgery.
In addition to WALANT procedures, Dr. Jecky also offers stem cell therapy and secretome injections. He is certified in both.
You can meet dr. Jecky Chandra, M.Kes, Sp.OT(K), CIPS, AIFO-K at Mandaya Royal Puri Hospital on:
- 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
Interested in consulting Dr. Jecky about WALANT surgery? 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.
