Hand and wrist surgery

Symptoms that can indicate a need for hand or wrist surgery can include feeling pain, swelling, inflammation, unwanted movement and muscle cramps. These symptoms may be accompanied by difficulty using and moving the limb and cause distress to the individual, as it also often affects the ability to work, sleep and socialise.

Arthritis is one of the most common reasons for surgery on the hands and wrists. Arthritis of the hand and wrist can come in several forms, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. Additionally, injuries to the joints, bones and tendons of your wrist, hand and fingers can also be treated by specialists at our hospitals.

Other conditions include congenital hand anomalies, which you are born with, such as bent or extra fingers.

Our experienced consultants can help test, diagnose, and treat or manage your hand and wrist issues in order to help improve your quality of life.

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 decide to pay over 10 months, you will pay interest-free. If you are paying for a longer period, you will pay 14.9% APR.

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.

Many different issues can arise in the hands or wrists, from acute injuries to long-term problems. If you are experiencing problems and over-the-counter medication is ineffective, or if you suspect another issue, it's important to see a medical professional sooner rather than later to prevent further harm or damage.

Repetitive strain injury is a common issue, caused by frequent repetition of an activity that has 'overloaded' your hand or arm. This could be due to playing a sport, playing a musical instrument, or even using your computer keyboard.

Other reasons why you may need hand and wrist surgery include:

• Congenital hand anomalies, such as the presence of an extra digit (polydactyly)
• Webbing between the fingers (syndactyly)
• Sometimes a finger can be deviated sideways, or be slightly bent (clinodactyly and camptodactyly)
• Hand overuse syndromes
• Pins and needles
• Painful joints including finger joints
• Torn ligaments
• Hand or wrist injury
• Arthritis of the hand and wrist
• Swelling
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Ganglion cyst

Whether you have an acute or chronic hand or wrist condition, our team will strive to reduce your symptoms through effective treatment.

Your initial consultation with a specialist

If you have hand and wrist problems that need to be seen by a specialist, you will usually be assessed by a consultant orthopaedic surgeon. Many of our orthopaedic consultants specialise in problems of the hand and wrist.

You can usually see a specialist for your initial consultation within 48 hours of booking your appointment with us. Give us a call or book an appointment online and we'll help you find an appointment time that suits you. During this initial appointment, your consultant will ask about your hand and wrists, your general health and medical history. They will want to know if there is any pain or discomfort from the affected area and if it is affecting you in any way.

Your consultant will usually examine your hand and ask you to move your wrist to understand the issue. They might need to do some additional tests or scans to make a diagnosis, for example an X-ray or MRI scan . If this is necessary, you might be asked to come back another day to have them done, and then you’ll have a follow-up consultation when the results are in.

This consultation is a safe space for you to ask as many questions as you like. It's an opportunity to understand your treatment options and whether surgical or non-surgical treatment is the best course of action for you. You can ask any questions, including those about aftercare and your recovery.

Your consultant will give you a good idea of timelines during your initial consultation, after which they'll put together a fixed-price treatment package based on everything you have discussed together. Once you've agreed to the costs, we can get you booked in to have your surgery at a time that suits you.

There are a range of treatments we can provide to support your hand and wrist recovery. Both surgical and non-surgical options are available, and your consultant will be able to advise you on what option is the best for your circumstances and requirements.

Surgical reconstruction of torn ligaments

Full ligament tears in your hand and wrist generally need surgery and it is important to operate early. These ligaments are short and tight and will, if neglected, shrink and be difficult to re-attach.

This operation can often be performed as a day case under general anaesthetic.

Joint fusion

This involves one or more of your joints being fused together in surgery, which will leave them in a permanent fixed position. The fused joints will no longer be able to bend, so it's not an option we advise to everyone, but if you're living with severe joint pain that can't be corrected with non-surgical options, joint fusion should eliminate your pain.

Finger or thumb replantation

If you have suffered from trauma (an accident or injury) where a finger has been lost, you may be able to have it replanted to restore the digit. This is performed under general anaesthetic and can be a complex surgery, depending on the situation and the extent of damage to your hand.

Musician's hand treatment

Musicians often find that their hands are put under prolonged or severe stress due to frequent use of their instruments and they can find that they suffer from stress injuries. This is because your fingers are put under more pressure than they can typically handle

Thankfully most injuries happen to only be minor and can be fixed with rest and an adjustment to angles or the musician's posture. Your consultant will be able to advise you how the issue can be treated and, if required, hand specialists with knowledge of specific music injuries can also be invited to provide advice, treatment and support.

Hand and wrist manual therapies

Swelling, scarring, pain, loss of movement and muscle spasm are problems that may occur following hand injury or surgery.

Hand therapists can use a variety of specialist massage techniques to improve the symptoms you feel and that restrict the use of your hand, wrist and arm. Following your assessment, a specific home programme will be designed to match your needs to maximise the benefit you experience following your appointment, improving your hand, wrist and arm symptoms as quickly as possible.

Hand and wrist splinting

Your consultant may feel that wearing a splint maybe beneficial for your recovery either as a non-surgical treatment or for support after surgery. Our specialist team of hand therapists are trained to the highest level to make custom made splints for many hand conditions.

Splints can be used for many reasons. Here are some examples of when you may need a splint designed and fitted for you:

• To provide rest and support for healing tissues following injury or surgery
• To support painful joints
• To improve the movement in your hand, wrist or arm
• To help you use your hand, wrist or arm for function

If your hand, wrist or arm requires a splint you may be provided with any one of the following materials which are chosen to match your particular needs:

• Neoprene (synthetic rubber)
• Thermoplastic - this is a mouldable plastic which is cut to size and shape which becomes rigid after moulding to provide a unique fit
• Plaster of Paris

Either way, you won't be able to drive yourself home after your operation, so ask a friend or loved one to pick you up. If you would prefer, we can help you arrange a taxi.

You may be asked to limit or avoid using your hand and wrist for a while after surgery. You may also be referred to a hand therapist. Your hand therapist will advise on wound and scar care, how to reduce swelling, which movements to avoid and which to encourage, and they'll show you strengthening exercises, as well as offering splinting to manage discomfort as appropriate.

Your consultant will be able to inform you of any steps to take for your recovery before you have your surgery.

• Flexible appointment times to fit your schedule
• The freedom to choose your hospital and your consultant
• Bespoke, consultant-led treatment plans tailored to your individual needs
• Private ensuite rooms as standard
• Tasty and nutritious meals cooked onsite to your dietary requirements
• Support from the same compassionate clinical team from beginning to end
• Affordable, fixed-price packages with aftercare included
• Flexible payment options to help spread the cost of your care

If you want to know more about cardiology and how we can help you look after your heart, book your appointment online today or call a member of our team directly on 0141 300 5009.