HomeConditions & surgery guides

Hand & wrist conditions and surgery guides

Clear, surgeon-reviewed information on common hand and wrist problems, the treatment options, and what to expect if you need an operation.

Conditions

Hand
trigger finger illustrationHand

Trigger finger

Stenosing tenosynovitis of the flexor tendon at the A1 pulley, causing the finger to…

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dupuytren contracture illustrationHand

Dupuytren contracture

A progressive fibrotic condition of the palmar fascia in which thickened cords pull the…

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thumb base arthritis illustrationHand

Thumb base arthritis

Osteoarthritis of the carpometacarpal (CMC) joint at the base of the thumb, causing pain…

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Wrist
carpal tunnel syndrome illustrationWrist

Carpal tunnel syndrome

Compression of the median nerve as it passes through the carpal tunnel at the wrist,…

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de quervain tenosynovitis illustrationWrist

De Quervain tenosynovitis

Painful inflammation and thickening of the tendon sheath of the first dorsal extensor…

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ganglion cyst illustrationWrist

Ganglion cyst

A benign, fluid-filled cyst arising from a joint capsule or tendon sheath. Most commonly…

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wrist osteoarthritis illustrationWrist

Wrist osteoarthritis

Degenerative cartilage wear affecting the wrist joints, most often secondary to previous…

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Injuries & fractures
distal radius fracture illustrationWrist

Distal radius fracture

Fracture of the lower end of the radius, the most common adult fracture. Usually follows…

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scaphoid fracture illustrationWrist

Scaphoid fracture

Fracture of the scaphoid, a small boat-shaped bone in the wrist. The most commonly…

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mallet finger illustrationHand

Mallet finger

Rupture or avulsion of the extensor tendon at its insertion into the distal phalanx,…

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boxers fracture illustrationHand

Boxer's fracture

Fracture of the neck of the fifth metacarpal, the bone behind the little finger.…

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tfcc tear illustrationWrist

TFCC tear

Injury to the triangular fibrocartilage complex on the ulnar (little-finger) side of the…

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skiers thumb illustrationHand

Skier's thumb (UCL injury)

Injury to the ulnar collateral ligament at the base of the thumb, where it stabilises…

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flexor tendon injury illustrationHand

Flexor tendon injury

Laceration or rupture of one or more flexor tendons in the hand, fingers or wrist. Most…

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Surgery preparation guides

Hand
trigger finger illustrationHand

Trigger finger release (A1 pulley release)

Trigger finger release is a short day-case procedure. It is considered when steroid…

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dupuytren contracture illustrationHand

Dupuytren’s fasciectomy (or needle fasciotomy)

Dupuytren’s surgery removes or divides the thickened cords that pull the fingers into…

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thumb base arthritis illustrationHand

Trapeziectomy (with or without ligament reconstruction)

Trapeziectomy is the most common operation for thumb base arthritis. The arthritic small…

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Wrist
carpal tunnel syndrome illustrationWrist

Carpal tunnel decompression

Carpal tunnel release is one of the most commonly performed hand operations. It is…

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de quervain tenosynovitis illustrationWrist

De Quervain’s release (1st extensor compartment release)

Surgery for de Quervain’s is considered when splinting, activity modification, and…

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ganglion cyst illustrationWrist

Ganglion cyst excision

Surgical removal is considered when a ganglion cyst causes persistent pain, restricts…

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distal radius fracture illustrationWrist

Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with volar plate

Many distal radius fractures heal in a cast, but some - particularly displaced or…

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scaphoid fracture illustrationWrist

Scaphoid fixation (compression screw)

Many scaphoid fractures heal in a cast, but displaced or unstable fractures usually…

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