Skip to main content

Diagnosis and treatment (hand, wrist and elbow)

Our hand and wrist specialists have access to the latest equipment and technology to support your diagnosis and treatment, including high-tech implants and joint replacements. We can use specialist x-ray machines and equipment to record the electrical activity of the nervous system in scans such as a nerve conduction study (NCS). We also have a peripheral MRI scanner, which uses electromagnetic waves to produce computer images of internal structures.

Conditions

Treatments and services

Surgery

Our hand and wrist specialists perform surgical procedures including

  • repairing a broken bone with screws, plates or rods
  • joint replacement (arthroplasty) - we replace joints such as wrists and thumbs. We may replace the distal interphalangeal joint (DIP joint, closest to the fingertip) or the proximal interphalangeal joint (PIP joint, or knuckle) to treat arthritis.
  • tenolysis - surgery to help a tendon move freely, which may be needed after an injury to the tendon or plating of finger fractures
  • a dermofasciectomy, used to treat Dupuytren's disease. The skin and thickened tissue is removed to enable the tendons to move, then a skin graft is applied.
  • carpal tunnel release, where some of the ligament in the wrist is cut to reduce the pressure on the nerve that causes carpal tunnel syndrome
  • tendon grafts and transfers. These may be required after a stroke or brain injury, or to reconstruct a joint after a major traumatic injury.

Non-surgical treatment

Our specialist physiotherapists and occupational therapists can treat some conditions as an alternative to surgery, depending on the type of problem and how severe it is.

Therapists also provide, fit and train you to use support equipment, such as a wrist splint to help treat mild carpal tunnel syndrome.

Tennis elbow treatment can include exercises to stretch and strengthen the forearm muscles, combined with supports to encourage the tendons to heal.

Our therapists also help you to recover from surgery, for example re-learning how to use your hand, wrist or elbow. They might work with you on a range of movement strengthening and control exercises, helping you to return to a fully functional everyday life.