Treatment for hand and wrist pain in Inverness

Hand and wrist pain can result from a variety of causes, ranging from minor injuries to more serious conditions.

Hand and wrist pain can be caused by various conditions, including:

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Osteoarthritis
• A sprain or fracture
• Tendonitis
• Repetitive stress
• Sudden impact
• Carpel tunnel syndrome
• Trigger finger
• Ganglion cysts
• Nerve compression

Hand and wrist pain can manifest in various ways, and symptoms can vary depending on the underlying cause. Some common symptoms associated with hand and wrist conditions: 

• Pain when gripping, lifting, or twisting objects
• Sharp pain during movement
• Swelling and stiffness
• Numbness or tingling
• Tenderness
• Weakness
• Limited range of motions
• Changes in finger shape due to arthritis
• Bent or curled fingers
• Lumps or cysts on the wrist or fingers

It is important to pay attention to these symptoms and seek medical advice from a specialist if they persist, worsen, or interfere with your ability to perform normal activities. Proper diagnosis and treatment can help alleviate pain and prevent further complications.

Your consultant will guide you through all available treatment options, ensuring you are actively involved in the decision-making process. Conservative treatments are normally trialled first, as many conditions can be effectively managed without the need for surgery.

Non-surgical options

• Physiotherapy exercises/hand therapy
• Wearing splints
• Pain relief medication
• Ice and heat packs
• Steroid injection therapy

If these treatment options fail to alleviate the pain, then surgery might be needed.

Having surgery

Some of the common procedures that are carried out by our orthopaedic hand and wrist consultants include:

• Carpal tunnel release is a surgical procedure used to treat carpal tunnel syndrome, a condition caused by compression of the median nerve as it travels through the carpal tunnel in your wrist. This compression leads to symptoms such as pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hand and fingers.
• Trigger finger release is a treatment for trigger finger, a condition where one of your fingers or thumbs gets stuck in a bent position and may snap when you try to straighten it. This condition occurs when the tendon in your affected finger becomes inflamed and cannot smoothly glide through the tendon sheath.
• Arthroscopic surgery is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to diagnose and treat problems inside a joint in your hand and wrist.
• Dupuytren's contracture release is a procedure aimed at treating this condition by removing or releasing the thickened and contracted fascia to restore finger movement.

Ultrasound guided Carpal Tunnel and Trigger Finger Release

Patients experiencing the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome or trigger finger release can now have access to an innovative, minimally invasive treatment with Mr Suddhajit Sen, Consultant Orthopaedic Hand and Wrist Surgeon.

This advanced ultrasound-guided carpal tunnel release or trigger finger release procedure is designed to treat the underlying causes by relieving pressure on the median nerve. Unlike traditional open surgery (where there a 2 to 5cm incision is made), the procedure is performed through a very small entry point near the wrist, reducing disruption to surrounding tissues. Using real-time ultrasound imaging, Mr Sen can accurately visualise the structures within the wrist throughout the procedure, allowing for a highly precise and targeted treatment approach.

Benefits of Ultrasound-Guided Procedure

This minimally invasive technique may offer several potential advantages, including:

• A smaller incision compared to traditional surgery. 
• Less tissue disruption
• Reduced post-procedure discomfort
• Faster recovery and return to daily activities
• Minimal scarring
• Performed with precision using ultrasound guidance

An initial consultation with Mr Suddhajit Sen is required to assess symptoms, confirm the diagnosis, and determine suitability for minimally invasive ultrasound guided treatment.

Your consultant will be supported by an experienced and dedicated multi-disciplinary team of health care professionals and administration staff, ensuring the highest level of care in a friendly and comfortable environment at Albyn Hospital.

Our experienced physiotherapists at Albyn Hospital are an integral part of the team, providing post-surgical rehabilitation to support recovery after hand and wrist surgery.

Follow-up reviews and wound care can be provided out at Inverness Outpatient Centre.

During your consultation, your consultant orthopaedic surgeon will evaluate your symptoms, take a medical history, and perform a physical examination to assess the condition of your hand and wrist. 

Depending on the findings of the physical examination and your medical history, your consultant may require you to have diagnostic tests such as an X-ray to provide detailed images of the bones, joints, soft tissues, and nerves in your hand and wrist.

Based on the diagnosis, they will recommend appropriate treatment options tailored to your specific condition and needs. 

You will get an expert assessment with an experienced orthopaedic consultant specialising in treating hand and wrist conditions: 

• You will see the same consultant throughout the entirety of their treatment journey. 
• Seamless referral from Inverness Outpatient Centre to Albyn Hospital for treatment
• Consultants are local to the North of Scotland
  Treatment plans tailored to meet your individual health needs
• A multidisciplinary team of highly skilled healthcare professionals working at Albyn Hospital to provide expert support and care for people undergoing surgery.

If you would like to make an appointment with a consultant here at the Inverness Outpatient Centre, you can use our handy online booking system or contact our friendly team on 01463 213227