Conditions Treated

Here are some of the conditions treated:-

1. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

2. Dupuytren’s Contracture (Dupuytren's Disease)

3. Excision of Ganglion

4. Trigger Finger

5. Wrist Arthroscopy (Investigative)

6. Surgery for Arthritis

7. Trauma

Pictures of the various conditions and corrective operations are within the Picture Gallery.

1. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common condition.  Patients can complain of pain, pins and needles, tingling, weakness or numbness affecting the hand in the area supplied by the median nerve.  This is usually due to compression of the nerve in the carpal tunnel which is at the level of the wrist going into the palm where nine tendons and the median nerve are surrounded by small bones of the wrist and a thick structure called the transverse carpal ligament.  Surgery can be indicated for this condition and it consists of an operation to divide the ligament so that the tunnel is freed up relieving pressure on the nerve and tendons.  This often relieves pain and pins and needles although it can take some time for the weakness and numbness to recover fully. 

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2. Dupuytren’s Contracture (Dupuytren's Disease)

Dupuytren’s is a condition thought to originate from Viking ancestors whereby a type of scar tissue forms in the palm and in the fingers causing the fingers to contract and curl round into the palm.  Surgery is indicated when the fingers are interfering with function or the disease is progressing quite rapidly.  Surgery is aimed at correcting the deformity of the hand and removing the Dupuytren’s tissue.  It is not always successful at straightening the fingers completely and sometimes the Dupuytren’s tissue can recur.

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3. Excision of Ganglion

A ganglion is a fluid filled sac connected either to a tendon lining or a joint. They can often be left well alone but sometimes surgery is indicated to remove them if they are painful or unsightly.  Sometimes they can recur following surgical removal and there is also a scar at the site of surgery.

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4. Trigger Finger

Tendons that move the fingers sometimes get stuck in a pulley preventing the finger moving fully or trapping the finger in a bent position.  Occasionally surgery is required for this condition where an incision is made near the tendon and the pulley is released allowing the tendon to move freely.

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5. Wrist Arthroscopy (Investigative)

The wrist joint is a complex joint made up of a several bones and several ligaments. Sometimes we need to look inside the wrist using a keyhole technique to establish whether there is significant damage to the ligaments or to the bones.  At the time of surgery damaged ligaments or bones can be ‘tidied up’ using special power shavers. 

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6. Surgery for Arthritis of the Hand

Arthritis is an extremely common condition and can be simple wear and tear arthritis (osteoarthritis) or an inflammatory type of arthritis for example, rheumatoid arthritis.  Occasionally medicines or steroid injections can control the symptoms of arthritis as can some splints and supports.  Sometimes surgery is required. There are often many different procedures that can be done which can include joint replacement of the wrist joint or of the finger joints.  Occasionally rather than replace the joints, the joints are fused so that there is no movement in that particular joint. This often requires fixation with metalwork using screws, plates or wires. Occasionally the joint is just removed and a space is left which fills up with scar tissue forming a fibrous type joint. 

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7. Trauma

Trauma is defined as any body wound or shock produced by sudden physical injury, as from accident, injury, or impact.

7.1 Wrist injuries

Scaphoid fractures- operative and non operative treatment including internal fixation, non union vascularised bone grafts.

7.2 Elbow injuries

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