Hand and wrist surgery in Birmingham

The hand plays a big part in most of our daily activities which is why it’s so prone to injury and wear and tear. It’s one of the most complex parts of the body involving the intricate coordinated movement of bones, joints, tendons, ligaments, and nerves. Which is why the diagnosis and treatment of hand and wrist related problems requires specialist expertise.

Many of us will suffer from hand and wrist pain at some point in our lives. Quite often problems can be treated with over-the-counter medicines, splints - or by modifying our activities for a short time. But if hand and wrist pain starts to become persistent it could be a sign that seeking help may be required.

If you’re experiencing pain, tingling, weakness or numbness in your hands and wrists on a daily basis, it’s time to seek specialist advice. The problem is that the usual route to specialist advice can involve a lengthy wait.

Get a rapid evaluation of your hand and wrist condition by booking an appointment at The Priory Hospital today.

If caught early, the majority of hand conditions can be successfully treated, resulting in excellent outcomes.

From carpal tunnel syndrome and trigger finger to osteoarthritis, tendonitis, Viking’s disease (Dupuytren’s) and ganglion cysts – these are all conditions our consultants treat on a regular basis here at  The Priory Hospital.  

Our expert hand and wrist surgeons also treat minor hand injuries. If you use your hands for your living (for example if you’re a gardener, builder or electrician) a fractured hand or finger can mean weeks off work. Having rapid access to a specialist hand and wrist surgeon can get you back to work in the shortest time, ensuring you maintain your productivity and your income. 

Don't delay getting treatment for a hand and wrist problem. Book an appointment today. 

Here are some of the more common hand and wrist conditions we treat at The Priory Hospital.

Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve at the front of the wrist gets compressed. This can cause pain, numbness, tingling and weakness in both the hand and arm. It’s more common in older women and people with diabetes, as well as in people who perform a lot of repetitive tasks e.g. typing. Short term relief can be achieved by performing certain exercises, using splints or via steroid injections – however for longer term relief surgery may be recommended.

Tendonitis or inflammation of the tendons in the wrist can make routine motions like gripping, pinching, or throwing objects difficult. Tendonitis can be caused by an injury or overuse and can be more common in people with arthritis or diabetes. Splints and compression may help to ease the damaged tendon, while corticosteroid injections and hand therapy can fix the functional behaviours that lead to tendonitis.

Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage that cushions the end of the bones deteriorates over time. Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues and commonly affects the hand and wrist. Treatment of arthritis can include splinting to support painful joints and to counteract the effects of deformities, or specific exercises to maintain movement. Other treatments include injecting swollen joints with corticosteroids under ultrasound to decrease the swelling and relieve pain.

Trigger finger and Dupuytren’s contracture are other debilitating conditions our surgeons treat at The Priory and it’s possible to treat these quickly using minimally invasive surgical techniques. For example, our consultant radiologists can sometimes carry out a needle release of a trigger finger while our surgeons can release Dupuytren’s contracture with a technique known as a needle fasciotomy (sometimes also called aponeurotomy). These short operations often take around 10 minutes and can be offered as outpatient procedures. Since they involve no skin incision this makes them a good choice for people with diabetes, and multiple fingers can be treated at one time with minimal chance of infection.

During your first appointment your consultant will give you a thorough physical examination and ask you about your occupation, leisure interests and medical history. They can often make a diagnosis there and then - or if necessary, refer you for an X-Ray or other investigations.  Your consultant will then work with you to create a tailored treatment plan.

If, as in the majority of cases, surgery isn’t required at this point you’ll receive lots of information and advice on how to manage your condition. This may involve wearing a splint or learning new techniques to minimise damage and self-manage problems at an early stage. 

Surgery is used as a last resort to remove pain and improve function. If surgery is required, your consultant will select the least invasive option available so that your recovery is as rapid as possible. Procedures are generally performed under an awake anaesthetic as a day-case.

At The Priory Hospital we also offer ultrasound guided injection therapy which takes place under local anaesthetic. This will allow treatment to be precisely targeted to the most problematic area.

Whatever course of treatment is decided, our consultants will closely follow your recuperation and they’re always available should you have any questions about your recovery. Post-surgery you should aim to use the hand as much as possible (following specialist advice) as this will help to get you back to full mobility quickly. 

You need your hands to function properly so make sure you get specialist advice when you’re experiencing problems. At The Priory Hospital, Birmingham, our hand and wrist consultants will give you a fast, accurate diagnosis of your condition and quickly get you booked in for appropriate treatment or surgery to get you back to full fitness as quickly as possible.

The benefits of treatment for hand and wrist conditions at The Priory Hospital include

• Rapid access to our specialist hand and wrist clinic where you’ll be seen by world-class orthopaedic consultants. You can generally expect to get an appointment within a few days.
• If you’ve already been diagnosed with a hand or wrist condition you can fast track your access to treatment by booking a consultation at The Priory Hospital.
• The knowledge you’ll always be seen by expert consultants at every visit. Surgeries are also always performed by the same surgeons who have assessed you.
• A treatment plan that embraces the knowledge and experience of an expert multidisciplinary team.
• The option to have ‘wide awake anaesthesia’ or ‘twilight anaesthesia’– which is a preferable for patients who need to avoid the risks of a general anaesthetic. (Twilight anaesthesia doesn’t require a patient to breathe via a tube).
• Consultants who are experienced in treating nervous patients. At The Priory our experienced consultants are always available to listen to and allay any concerns throughout the treatment process.
• A team of extremely qualified hand therapists who work closely alongside our consultants to provide a holistic package of care. They are involved in the planning and implementing of post-surgical care to optimise your recovery.
• State of the art surgical facilities and highly skilled specialist theatre staff.
• Flexible payment options including the option to ‘pay as you go’ for your evaluation and treatment. At The Priory Hospital we don’t require you to have private medical insurance.
• The convenience of having treatment at a hospital with a central location and great transport links.