Fast diagnosis and expert treatment for hand and wrist problems
Your hands and wrists are integral to your ability to function. From washing your hands, to brushing your teeth, to driving your car or sending a text message - your hands and wrists allow you to fulfil many everyday activities with ease. It can be easy to overlook just how much we depend on our hands and wrists, and it is usually only when we experience problems with them that the true scale of our reliance on them becomes apparent.
If you have recently injured your hand or wrist or have noticed pain stiffness, swelling, or weakness in your hand and wrist, you might need specialist orthopaedic treatment to resolve your symptoms. You can access expert help at our Syon Clinic in Brentford, Middlesex.
Our experienced team of consultants who specialise in upper limb work at the hospital throughout the week would be delighted to meet with you and determine the cause of your symptoms. If you need treatment, whether non-operative (non-surgical) or operative (surgical), they will help get you out of pain and back to better movement and function in your hand and wrist once more.
One of our expert consultant orthopaedic upper limb surgeons, Mr Edward Ibrahim, details that most people he sees at Syon Clinic for a hand and wrist condition will have one or more of these symptoms:
There are several conditions that might affect your hand or wrist. Common conditions that can affect your hand and wrist include:
This condition is a type of arthritis caused by smooth cartilage in your joint(s) wearing down over time. It most commonly affects the base of your thumb but can also affect your fingers and wrist.
This condition is a type of arthritis caused by an irregular autoimmune response that causes your body to attack healthy cells by mistake. It might lead to deformities in your fingers if not properly managed.
This concern happens when your carpal bones form in the small space in your wrist known as the carpal tunnel. Your median nerve passes down your arm and through this space. If you have any swelling in the carpal tunnel, it means your median nerve will be compressed, and this can cause symptoms like weakness, pain, or tingling
Tendonitis is any pain and inflammation affecting any tendon in the body, including your hands and wrist.
Ganglion cysts are bumps found along the tendons or joints of wrists or hands. This condition is usually harmless, but if it is causing you pain treatment may be recommended.
This issue can cause pain and stiffness when you attempt to move your finger or thumb. If left untreated, your affected finger or thumb can become trapped in a bent position, significantly reducing movement and making simple everyday tasks challenging.
This condition causes one or more of your fingers to bend inwards and point towards your palm, resulting in discomfort and limited mobility in your hands. The disease most commonly affects your ring and little fingers. It is possible to have it in both hands at the same time.
When you first visit us, your consultant will talk with you to learn more about your symptoms. They will want to know:
They will also want to know how your symptoms are affecting you in daily life, because this will often help direct your treatment options. They will carry out a physical examination of both your hands and wrists, looking carefully for any differences between them in appearance, movement, and grip strength.
As well as examining your hand and wrist, they will often also examine your entire arm, up to and including your shoulder. This is because some hand or wrist symptoms can be caused by a problem further up your arm (this is known as referred pain).
In some cases, this may be all that is needed to make a diagnosis. In others, further investigations can be helpful to either confirm your diagnosis or plan your treatment.
Syon Clinic has a well-staffed diagnostic imaging department offering fast access to a range of tests and investigations.
Mr Ibrahim explains the different investigations that can be done, and gives examples of when they would be used for certain hand and wrist conditions:
‘For people showing carpal tunnel symptoms, we would normally arrange nerve tests. These are done on-site by our neurophysiologist. If somebody has injured their hand or wrist, or could have arthritis, I will often arrange a plain X-ray as these can show up bony abnormalities.
‘If I suspect the problem is a soft tissue one, MRI or ultrasound scan can be helpful. An ultrasound has the added advantage that an injection can be given at the same time if needed.’
If hand or wrist surgery is needed, keyhole surgery (wrist arthroscopy) can be used to help in diagnosing your symptoms and providing treatment. Due to arthroscopy using very small incisions (cuts) in your skin, it causes less pain, minimal scarring, and promotes a faster recovery than traditional 'open' surgery.
Open surgery may be needed to treat some hand and wrist conditions. Surgical options include:
Carpal tunnel release surgery can help resolve these symptoms by cutting your carpal ligament, which travels across the base of your palm, giving your median nerve and other nerves the space to move.
Trigger finger release surgery is a highly effective treatment option. It is rare for the condition to reappear after surgery.
Dupuytren's symptoms can be eased or even corrected by surgery. You might undergo a fasciectomy, a needle fasciotomy, or a dermafasciectomy as part of your treatment for Dupuytren's disease.
This is a routine and minor procedure to remove the ganglion.
Please note that if surgery is needed, the procedure will be carried out at our sister hospital, The Clementine Churchill Hospital.
When you choose to go private with Circle Health Group, you can expect:
The cost of hand and wrist surgery will depend on various factors, including which type of surgery you have and your reasons for having it. Call today to speak to our advisors and get a tailored quote.
Our fixed-price packages include the cost of your surgery and all appropriate aftercare appointments. However, any pre-surgery diagnostic tests and your consultant's outpatient appointment consultation fee are charged separately.
Our flexible payment options help you spread the cost of your payment across a time period that suits you. We offer fixed-term monthly payment plans over one to five years with no deposit required.
If you have private health insurance, hand and wrist surgery will usually be covered by your provider. Speak to your insurer directly to find out.
To book a consultation to discuss hand & wrist surgery with an orthopaedic surgeon near you, use our online booking system, or give us a call and one of our dedicated advisors will help you find an appointment time that suits you.
Reception: 0208 3226000
Mon-Fri: 8am-8pm
Sat: 8am-5pm
Limited parking
