Book a consultation
Treatments

Hand Surgery

Whether it's due to an acute injury, repetitive use, or a chronic or painful condition, problems affecting your hands can significantly affect your quality of life.

Appropriate treatment, in some cases including hand surgery, can restore function and relieve pain, helping you get back to your normal activities. Mr Sam Gidwani, one of the UK’s leading orthopaedic hand surgeons, provides expert care for a wide range of hand conditions. With years of experience, expertise in advanced surgical techniques, and a commitment to patient care, he aims to deliver the best possible outcomes for his patients.

Why Choose Mr Gidwani for Hand Surgery?

Hand surgery is an intricate subspecialty of orthopaedics that requires both precision and experience. Mr Gidwani’s commitment to excellence and patient satisfaction makes him a trusted choice for those seeking treatment in London. By choosing Mr Gidwani for your hand surgery, you can expect:

  • Expertise and Experience

    Mr. Sam Gidwani is the senior orthopaedic hand and wrist surgeon at Guy’s & St Thomas’ Hospitals, and has performed thousands of successful hand operations throughout his career. With a deep understanding of hand anatomy, function, and healing, he can accurately diagnose and treat a wide variety of hand injuries and conditions.

  • Personalised Treatment Plans

    Every patient is different, and Mr. Gidwani believes in providing individualised treatment. Whether you are dealing with a common condition like carpal tunnel syndrome, or a complex or chronic hand condition, you will be offered treatment designed specifically for your needs.

  • Advanced Techniques

    Mr. Gidwani uses the most appropriate surgical techniques for each patient. The aim is to achieve as fast a recovery as possible, with minimal scarring, and an optimal final outcome. He stays up to date with the latest advances in hand surgery to ensure the best possible results.

  • Compassionate and Supportive Care

    The road to recovery after hand surgery can sometimes be challenging. Mr. Gidwani and his team are dedicated to offering compassionate care throughout your surgical journey, ensuring you feel supported and informed at every step. He works with a group of talented hand therapists to facilitate your recovery.

Common Conditions Treated with Hand Surgery

Many injuries and conditions can be treated without surgery, for example, with carefully tailored programmes of hand physiotherapy or targeted steroid injections. However, in some situations of hand or wrist pain, hand injury or reduced functionality, hand surgery might be the most appropriate solution. Some of the commoner conditions treated are shown below, although this is not an exhaustive list of all the conditions treated by Mr Gidwani:

  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

    Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common condition treated by hand surgeons. It causes numbness, tingling, pain, and weakness in the hand and fingers. This is caused by pressure on the median nerve as it passes through the carpal tunnel in the wrist. For more severe cases, carpal tunnel release surgery may be necessary to relieve the pressure on the nerve, resolve symptoms, and restore function.

  • Trigger finger and Trigger thumb

    Trigger finger occurs when one of the fingers or the thumb becomes intermittently stuck in a bent position, often accompanied by pain when the finger is unlocked. This condition is typically caused by thickening of part of the tendon sheath and swelling of the relevant tendon. Surgery can be used to release the tendon sheath and resolve the symptoms of painful locking.

  • Arthritis

    Arthritis of the hand can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling in the small joints of the hand. This condition can be debilitating and extremely painful, and can also affect the range of motion of the affected joints. In cases where non-operative treatments don’t provide relief, surgery such as joint replacement or joint fusion may be needed. Mr Gidwani has a particular interest in basal thumb joint replacement and finger PIP joint replacement surgery.

  • Dupuytren’s Contracture

    Dupuytren’s contracture is a condition in which the connective tissue in the palm thickens, causing the fingers to bend inward. In advanced cases, hand surgery can be carried out to remove the thickened tissue (fascia) and allow the affected fingers to straighten.

  • Other Nerve Compression Syndromes

    Similar to, but less common than Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, conditions like Cubital Tunnel Syndrome, Pronator Syndrome or Radial Tunnel Syndrome cause pressure on specific nerves, leading to numbness, tingling, pain, and in advanced cases, weakness of the muscles of the affected hand. Surgery can help relieve nerve pressure and relieve pain and tingling.

  • Hand Fractures and Ligament Injuries

    Fractures of the bones of the hand are common, as are injuries to the ligaments which protect the small joints of the hand. Depending on the severity of the fracture or ligament injury, surgical intervention may be required to realign and stabilize the relevant bone or joint, allowing healing and rehabilitation of the hand and promoting optimal long-term function. Regular hand therapy is also crucial to the recovery of function.

  • Tendon Injuries and Tendinitis

    Tendon injuries and tendinitis in the hand can occur due to sports, accidents, or repetitive movements. Common examples include lacerations of the flexor or extensor tendons, and De Quervain’s Tendinitis (aka “Mummy’s thumb”). These injuries can severely limit hand function and cause pain. Tendon repair surgery and Tendon release surgery can be extremely helpful in restoring function and allowing pain-free use of the hand.

What to Expect During Hand Surgery

The process of hand surgery involves several steps, each designed to ensure the best possible outcome for you.

  1. Initial Consultation

    During your first visit, Mr. Gidwani will perform a thorough examination of your hand and discuss your symptoms in detail. He may also order diagnostic tests such as X-rays, MRI scans, CT scans, ultrasound scans or nerve conduction studies, to get a clearer picture of the underlying issue. This helps in crafting a tailored treatment plan. Many conditions can be treated without surgery, and Mr Gidwani works closely with expert hand therapists and radiologists.

  2. Pre-Surgery Preparation

    Before the surgery, you will receive detailed instructions on how to prepare. You may need to stop taking certain medications, avoid eating or drinking for a period before the procedure, and arrange for someone to take you home after the surgery.

  3. The Surgery

    Hand surgery is performed under local, regional or general anaesthesia, depending on the type of procedure. Mr. Gidwani uses state-of-the-art equipment and techniques to perform the surgery with minimal disruption to the surrounding tissues. Many common hand operations are performed as day-case procedures, meaning that you can go home on the same day.

  4. Post-Operative Care

    After the surgery, you will be given clear instructions for care at home. This includes instructions on elevation of the hand in a sling, pain management, and avoiding certain movements or activities that could affect the healing process. Depending on the procedure, you may need to wear a cast or splint to immobilize the hand while it heals.

  5. Follow-Up Appointments

    You will have scheduled follow-up appointments with Mr. Gidwani to monitor your healing progress. In some cases, appointments will also be needed with a hand therapist. Adjustments can thereby be made to your treatment or rehabilitation plan as needed.

Recovery After Hand Surgery

  1. Pain Management

    Some discomfort after hand surgery is normal, but Mr. Gidwani will work with you to manage it effectively. You will be prescribed pain medication and given advice on how to control any swelling.

  2. Hand Physiotherapy

    Rehabilitation plays a crucial role in ensuring a full recovery from many hand operations. Once the initial healing period is over, physical therapy may be required to restore strength, flexibility, and mobility in your hand. Mr. Gidwani and his therapy colleagues will guide you through the rehabilitation process to ensure optimal results.

  3. Full Recovery Time

    Recovery times vary depending on the surgery, but most patients can return to light activities of daily living within a few weeks. Returning to sports and hobbies may take longer, but in many cases, adjustments can be made, or protective splints designed, to allow earlier return to activity. For more complex surgeries, full recovery can take several months, and it is essential to follow all rehabilitation guidelines.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How long will I need to recover from hand surgery?

Recovery time depends on the type of surgery performed. For less invasive procedures, you may resume light activities within a few weeks. However, more complex surgeries may require several months of rehabilitation.

Is hand surgery painful?

Most patients report mild to moderate discomfort following surgery. Mr Gidwani or his anaesthetist will prescribe painkillers to ensure you’re as comfortable as possible during the recovery process. Post-operative hand pain can also be minimized by the use of nerve blocks at the time of the operation, and Mr Gidwani works with expert anaesthetists who can offer you this technique.

Can I drive after hand surgery?

You should avoid driving while you’re wearing a cast or splint or taking pain medications that could affect your coordination. It is important to notify the DVLA and your insurance company that you have had a hand operation. For minor procedures such as carpal tunnel surgery or trigger finger surgery, it usually takes 2 to 3 weeks to return to driving.

Are there any risks associated with hand surgery?

Like all surgery, hand surgery is associated with generic risks such as infection, swelling, pain, nerve damage, and scarring. Mr Gidwani will explain all the specific risks of surgery before the day of the operation.

Do I need a referral for hand surgery with Mr Gidwani?

If you are seeing Mr Gidwani on an insured basis, your insurance company will usually ask for you to be referred by a GP. However, self-funding patients do not require a referral to book an appointment and can contact Mr. Gidwani directly to schedule a consultation.

Book a consultation

If you are experiencing pain or other troublesome symptoms, get in touch to arrange an appointment with Mr Gidwani.

Arrange an appointment