Restoring the Functions of Hands & Feet

Leprosy has a strong negative stigma associated with it. This is largely attributed to the deformities that develop as result of damage to the peripheral nerves. It is the visible deformity that leads to a person being identified as someone with Leprosy.This could even lead to separation from family and friends.

It was Dr.Paul Brand, the famous hand surgeon who recognized that although the hands and feet of leprosy patients were deformed these were constituted of normal tissues that could be reconstructed to function normally.Reconstructive surgery is a method by which deformities are restored to normalcy, both in appearance and function.

Pre and Post Operative Care

Several thousands of people with leprosy deformities have been restored back into their professions and families by TLMs committed surgeons.

The common deformities in leprosy that can be corrected by surgery are Claw Hand, Ape thumb, Lagophthalmos, Foot drop, and Claw toes.Every patient undergoes extensive preoperative counseling and assessment of what he/she intends to do after surgery, whether he/she is undergoing treatment for cosmetic reasons or for functional improvement. Based on their academic, technical qualifications, previous experience, interests, disabilities and needs of the community, they are referred to programmes like Catch Them Young, Community Based Rehabilitation and to Vocational Training Centres etc.Every year the surgeons of Leprosy Mission India conduct more than 700 procedures in hospitals and over 600 procedures in surgical camps.