There are countless ways injuries and disease can impact your hand and upper limb. We see some common hand conditions almost daily, while others are extremely rare. And we understand that injuries and accidents can occur at any time or place: when you’re working, training hard or playing a match, or out exploring — or simply
preparing dinner at home.
Whatever is preventing you from using your hands as desired — to make a living or enjoy your daily life, passions and hobbies, we’ll know what to do. No matter what it is or how you’ve done it.
Below are just some of the hand conditions and injuries we treat regularly. Don’t see your ailment here? Get in touch for a discussion — we can help.
About
Finger dislocations and sprains are common sporting injuries. They’re often neglected, but it’s important to treat them with respect as they can involve torn ligaments and small fractures, and consequences can be severe and long lasting.
Treatment
Recovering from a sprained finger usually involves splinting and a tailored exercise program. We will also show you how to protect the finger so that you’re safe to return to your activities as quickly as possible.
About
Arthritis is a disease of the joints that can manifest in numerous ways. Common symptoms include swelling or deformity, or pain with everyday hand use — especially when gripping and pinching.
Treatment
We can fabricate splints to support arthritic joints, provide appropriate exercise programs, and suggest aids and equipment to make your daily tasks easier.
About
Fractures can be hairline cracks or a complete break. Some fractures require surgery, others a simple cast — this depends on the type of fracture, where it is located, and its stability.
Treatment
We will ensure you understand how to protect a healing fracture, and advise when it’s safe to start moving. We’ll also establish a custom strengthening program early on and make sure you get back to using the affected limb as soon as you can.
About
This injury occurs when the tendon at the tip of your finger pulls away from the bone, sometimes taking some bone with it. The result is a fingertip that won’t stay straight.
Treatment
Surgery or a specialist review are rarely required for a mallet finger. Typically, we’ll create a splinting program that allows your finger to heal and remain straight.
About
Wrist pain may result from accidents or activity/overuse over a long period. It is important to accurately diagnose your wrist pain to enable quicker healing.
Treatment
Understanding your specific wrist injury and how to manage it is critical. This could mean we have to immobilise it for a short time, or advise on a more ergonomic office setup, or create a strengthening program — each case is different.
About
Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when a nerve in your wrist is compressed. Causes include tendon inflammation, arthritis, and swelling in the wrist. This can result in pain, numbness and weakness, and disturbed sleep.
Treatment
A splint is a common treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome. We also need to ensure you’re moving your wrist correctly, not over-stretching it or strengthening it in the wrong way; this can make symptoms worse.
About
Pain on the thumb side of your wrist could be de Quervain’s tenosynovitis, an inflammation of tendon sheaths in the thumb. It is common in new mothers and people who perform repetitive tasks or carry loads in an awkward position.
Treatment
Restricting your movement into positions that cause pain is key to treating de Quervain’s tenosynovitis. A splint is one of the best ways to help with this, along with an exercise program and adjusting your activity to protect your wrist.
About
Tendonitis is inflammation of your tendons. This can happen from repetitive activity but is usually the result of tendon overload, often linked to sudden increases to your exercise or training regimen.
Treatment
Although splinting can help, immobilisation by itself is not always the most effective tendonitis treatment. Tendons like to move — we will advise on how to stay active while protecting your tendons, and also create personalised exercise and strengthening programs.
About
Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow are overload injuries of the tendon insertion points at your elbow. Tennis elbow affects your outer elbow; golfer’s elbow affects your inner elbow. These injuries happen when you overexert your forearm muscles.
Treatment
Tendons and muscles need a certain amount of load to get strong again after injury. We will construct a specific exercise program for your injury. Soft tissue treatment, massage and strapping can also help to keep you active during recovery.
About
Dupuytren’s disease is a thickening of the palmar fascia (one of the tissue layers under the skin in your palm). It is not usually painful, but can cause bumps in the skin and may pull and bend your fingers down (Dupuytren’s contracture).
Treatment
Surgery is usually required for severe cases of Dupuytren’s contracture, and we are skilled in managing this condition following surgery. There are also some simple things you can do to slow the progression of Dupuytren’s — this starts with a proper understanding of the condition.
About
Trigger finger causes stiffness and reduces movement in your fingers. In some cases, a finger can become stuck in a bent position. It’s usually caused by inflammation of a tendon sheath, often as a result of repetitive gripping movements.
Treatment
A splint will let you keep your finger extended, allowing your tendon to rest and recover. We can also provide stretching exercises to help promote increased finger mobility.
About
Scarring from wounds or surgery results in firmness of the skin and can impact your tendons’ ability to glide as normal, constraining movement in the affected area.
Treatment
We can help you to form a functional scar and manage all kinds of scars resulting from trauma or surgery. The first 6-12 weeks after injury or surgery are critical as this is when most scar healing takes place.
About
Burns vary in severity and can occur in many ways, such as accidents in the home or at work, or simply from being outdoors without proper sun protection. Burns can be extremely painful and remain sensitive for an extended period.
Treatment
Scar and wound management are key to burn recovery. We can assist with a variety of techniques to help alleviate pain and scarring, including splinting, compression garments, massage and silicone products.
About
Muscle or tendon strains caused by repetitive motions are often grouped under the term RSI. Symptoms include pain, tingling, throbbing and tightness. Causes may relate to your working conditions, such as overuse from typing or manual labour. Proper diagnosis is essential.
Treatment
Depending on your specific issue, a splint or brace can be an effective treatment in helping your hand’s tendons to rest and recover. We can also provide guidance on creating a more ergonomic working environment.
About
Chronic pain can reduce strength, cause inflammation and stiffness, and make even the most routine daily tasks a painful ordeal. It’s often related to arthritis, trauma or nerve damage.
Treatment
Managing chronic pain is complicated and requires extra care and skill. Tailored treatments are essential to precisely understanding your condition and helping to alleviate symptoms.
About
Complex hand surgeries such as amputations and replantations take a long time to heal, and often result in stiffness, pain or weakness in the affected limb.
Treatment
Expert management of your recovery from complex trauma is critical, especially during the post-operative phase. Custom splinting, specific exercise protocols, wound care and solid patient education are crucial to a successful result.
