In the world of medical specialties, hand surgery and plastic surgery overlap more than people may realize. They may seem like separate disciplines, but both are deeply connected. Hand surgery and plastic surgery combine precision, aesthetics, and function for better patient outcomes.
“I decided to go into plastic surgery because I wanted to help patients return to both form and function,” says Dr. Matthew Rich, a board-eligible plastics and hand surgeon at Arnot Health, a member of Centralus Health. “That’s kind of one of the main tenets of plastic surgery. I think as surgeons it’s our duty to get patients back to the way they were before surgery.”
Dr. Rich says plastic surgery allows him to help patients return to their baseline, often through a combination of reconstructive surgery, rehabilitation support and psychological care.
“When patients come to me, I want the experience to be very positive. I want them to leave knowing they have a good idea of what the diagnosis is and what the treatment is.”
Physicians try to work with patients on a treatment plan without influencing their decision, but medical jargon, fear over their ailments and limited time during appointments can affect their decision-making process. Dr. Rich aims to work with patients, offering information about all their options, including non-surgical ones.
“I don’t want them to leave feeling pressured for any kind of surgery or any type of treatment. I want to lay out all the options they have available, and I want to help guide them based on my expertise,” says Dr. Rich.
Plastic surgeons reconstruct and repair the body, mainly by the transfer of tissues, either to treat injuries, enhance physical defects, or to address personal cosmetic concerns.
“I’ve done everything from breast lifts to rhinoplasty and big reconstructions. What I hope to offer the Elmira-Corning area is a fresh perspective on some of the general plastic surgery principles.”
Plastic surgery isn’t Dr. Rich’s only focus. As a hand surgeon, he’ll treat conditions affecting bones, muscles, nerves and tendons.
“I think there’s a need for a hand surgeon because there’s not one in the system currently, and living in more of a rural area makes it difficult for patients to be able to get to places that are a little further away. Something people might take for granted is being able to get in your car and go see a specialist.”
The hand is one of the most complex and expressive parts of the human body. Hands allow people to interact with the world, create, communicate, and care for others.
Hand-related ailments can significantly impact a person’s ability to perform daily activities. By providing surgical and non-surgical solutions, doctors can help preserve a patient’s independence and improve their overall quality of life.
“What I’d like to be able to offer to people in this area is someone a little closer who can help them with their problems,” says Dr. Rich.
Hand surgeons aren’t limited to the hands. They also treat overuse injuries like tennis elbow, limb abnormalities present from birth, benign lumps in the arm, and, in some cases, full or partial amputations.
“There’s a wide ambit of what I’m trying to do—whether it’s falling off a bicycle and breaking your arm, or arthritis after years of heavy lifting and having wrist pain, I’m hoping to offer some treatment for these patients.”
Innovations like robotic surgery, 3D-printed implants, and minimally invasive techniques allow for more personalized and less invasive options with quicker recovery times.
“Plastic surgery is a rapidly evolving field. There are always new techniques, there are always new surgeries, and it’s something the plastic surgeons here always keep up on. I may be doing things differently. I trained in different areas than they did. I’m just hoping to add to the plastic surgery practice that’s already here.”
Arnot Health and Cayuga Health, members of Centralus Health, offer comprehensive services in surgical plastic surgery, in-office procedures and skin care treatments. In tandem with hand surgery, Arnot Health also offers rehabilitative therapies through the regionally unique Hand Management Center. The Center offers the latest equipment and modalities to help improve any dysfunction, maximizing strength, mobility and function for each patient.
Arnot Health’s plastic surgery office is located at 445 East Water Street, Elmira. Referrals are recommended but not required. For more information, call 607-734-2067.
Cayuga Health’s plastic surgery office is located at 22 Arrowwood Drive, Suite B, Ithaca. Referrals are recommended but not required. For more information, call 607-266-0483.
