Hand Conditions

I am a specialist hand and wrist surgeon trained in both Orthopaedic and Plastic surgery techniques. By acquiring a broad skill range I am able to confidently manage all conditions affecting the hand to find the right solution for you.

Arthritis affecting the hand

The hand is vulnerable to developing arthritic changes as there are a large number of small small joints that each have there own unique function. Painful arthritis can be very debilitating and cause difficulty even when carrying out gentle day to day tasks. 

I offer a full range of treatment options that can be tailored to your needs and allow you to get back to doing all of the things that you want to be doing without the pain and disability that arthritis brings.

Joint contractures

There are a large number of conditions that can prevent you from being able to fully straighten or bend your fingers. Although these conditions are often not painful they can result in a progressive loss of function as they develop. It is always best to start a treatment plan before contractures become too severe as if caught early then there are usually more treatment options available and recovery is often quicker.

Conditions that cause contracture include Dupuytrens disease, Trigger finger, inflammatory conditions conditions that affect the tendons and Trauma

Nerve Problems

The nerves that supply the hand allow us to feel touch, temperature sensations and pain as well as control the small muscles of the hand that are used for fine delicate tasks. As the nerves pass into the hand they go through a tunnel and at this point they can get trapped. The most common form of nerve entrapment is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. This occurs when the Median nerve is trapped in the wrist. To start with the symptoms are intermittent with tingling in the finger tips that is often worse at night or when driving or on the phone. As the condition progresses the fingers can become progressively numb and you may start to get pain radiating up your arm from your wrist.

With nerve problems it is important to catch them early to prevent permanent damage happening to the nerve. When the symptoms are intermittent the nerve is likely to make a full recovery if the problem is treated. Unfortunately if symptoms become permanent  then it is important to take the pressure off the nerve to prevent the damage from getting any worse but full sensation in the fingers may not be recovered.

Hand Trauma

Trauma to the hand is common and can either be in the form of fractures to the bones, dislocations to the joints or injury to the soft tissues such as tendons and nerves. Managing trauma to the hand requires particular attention to detail and finding the correct balance between resting to allow recovery and early movement to prevent stiffness.

Every injury to the hand is unique and therefore requires careful assessment and personalised management in order to fully restore function and allow an early return to activities.

 

Wrist Conditions

Conditions affecting the wrist can result in pain and loss of function. The wrist is a highly complex structure that has a broad range of functions. Painful, stiff or swollen wrists may have a large number of causes.

If you have a wrist condition then it is important to carry out a careful assessment and examination in order to be able to identify your individual problem and tailor the solution to your needs.

Wrist Trauma

We will often brake our fall by putting out our arms meaning that the wrist will be vulnerable to trauma. Trauma may be a broken bone or injury to the complex array of ligaments that support your wrist. I am well trained in the management of these injuries having spent time as the Hand and Wrist Fellow at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital which acts as a tertiary referral centre for trauma in London.

Treatment is aimed at minimising the disruption such an injury may case whilst ensuring that the maximum possible function is maintained.