Hand Surgeon Perth
Common hand and finger conditions:
All your questions answered about hand surgery

Hand Surgeon Perth
When to see a hand surgeon?
Hands are complex structures with many different tissues including bones, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and specialised skin. Plastic surgeons are well equipped to look after the complexities of hand trauma, degenerative conditions of the hand, and tumours involving the hand. When you have pain in your hand or wrist, sometimes you can treat it with rest, ice, and painkillers. But other times, hand surgery might be needed.
“Hand surgery is an important part of plastic and reconstructive surgery. It deals with issues affecting the nerves, tendons, bones, and blood vessels of the hand. Whether it’s from injury or inflammation, at Forme Specialist Plastic Surgery we handle all aspects of hand surgery.”
Dr Jeremy Rawlins, Hand Surgeon Perth
Below, we’ll explain some common conditions that can affect your hands or fingers and their different treatment plans.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve within the carpal tunnel is compressed, affecting hand function.
What are the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome?
Symptoms include tingling, numbness (especially in the thumb, index, middle, and ring fingers), and weakness when gripping objects.
What causes carpal tunnel?
Various factors contribute to carpal tunnel syndrome, including trauma, degenerative diseases like arthritis, and inflammatory conditions such as tenosynovitis.
Who is at risk for carpal tunnel syndrome?
Manual workers, pregnant females, and older individuals are at higher risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome.
What is the treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome?
Hand therapy exercises are often recommended to reduce swelling and improve hand movement and strength.
When is carpal tunnel bad enough for surgery?
For cases where conservative treatment fails, carpal tunnel decompression surgery offers effective relief by relieving pressure on the median nerve. This procedure is typically performed as a day surgery.
Dupuytren’s disease
Dupuytren’s disease causes the tissue in the palm to contract abnormally, often affecting people of Anglo-Saxon lineage, particularly those with British or Nordic heritage. If untreated, it can result in fingers becoming permanently bent inward, making it difficult to straighten them.
What are the symptoms of Dupuytren’s disease?
Symptoms typically begin with small, tender lumps on the palm, which can progress to fingers being pulled forward. A common test for the condition involves the person’s inability to place their hand flat on a table, palm down.
What causes Dupuytren’s disease?
The exact cause is unknown, but there is a clear genetic component to the condition. Additionally, Dupuytren’s disease involves an inflammatory and autoimmune component with ancestral origins.
Who is at risk for Dupuytren’s disease?
Both men and women are equally affected by Dupuytren’s disease. Risk factors include alcohol usage, anti-seizure medication, and trauma, although the latter is believed to trigger an inflammatory response rather than directly causing Dupuytren’s.
What is the first-line treatment for Dupuytren’s disease?
What does surgery for Dupuytren’s disease involve?
Surgery for Dupuytren’s disease is typically performed as a day-surgery operation to excise the affected tissue and release the contracture. Following surgery, patients may need to wear a night splint for 6-8 weeks to maintain proper hand position and undergo hand therapy.
De Quervain’s tenosynovitis
De Quervain’s tenosynovitis affects the base of the thumb, causing pain, especially when turning the wrist.
What are the symptoms of De Quervain’s tenosynovitis?
What causes De Quervain’s tenosynovitis?
It happens when the tendons under the first dorsal compartment of the wrist become inflamed, affecting the ones controlling thumb movement.
Who is at risk for De Quervain’s tenosynovitis?
Anyone, regardless of age or background, can develop this condition.
What is the first-line treatment for De Quervain’s tenosynovitis?
Splinting and occasionally steroid injections are the initial treatment options.
What surgical procedure is performed if first-line treatment fails?
Surgical treatment involves making an incision over the outer aspect of the base of the thumb to release the compartment, allowing the tendons to move freely. Small compartments within the tendons may also need release for optimal results.
Ganglion cysts
Ganglion cysts are harmless bumps that develop near the tendons or joints in your hands or wrists. These cysts are typically round and filled with fluid. When the fluid escapes, it can get trapped under your skin, causing discomfort. While ganglions are commonly found around the wrist area, they can also develop in other parts of the hand, such as the palm, fingers, and fingertips.
What are the symptoms of ganglion cysts?
- Swelling
- Pain and limited movement
What are the causes of ganglion cysts?
While the exact cause is unknown, ganglion cysts often develop after some form of trauma.
Who is at risk for ganglion cysts?
Anyone can get ganglion cysts. People who’ve had injuries like torn ligaments or fractures are more likely to develop them.
What is the first-line treatment for ganglion cysts?
First treatment choices depend on where the ganglion is, its size, and how much it bothers you. Not all ganglion cysts need treatment because they’re common. But bigger ones in the wrist or fingers often need surgery. An ultrasound can confirm the diagnosis and where the cyst comes from.
How is ganglion cyst surgery performed?
Surgery for ganglion cysts is typically done as a day procedure and can be performed under local or general anaesthesia. During the procedure, a small incision is made over the ganglion. The surrounding structures are protected, and the cyst, along with its capsule, is carefully removed. This helps reduce the risk of the cyst coming back. With advanced removal techniques, the recurrence rate for ganglion cysts has dropped significantly, now standing at less than 1%.
Trigger finger
Trigger finger is an inflammatory condition that affects the flexor tendons of the finger, causing them to become stuck in a bent position.
What are the symptoms of trigger finger?
Symptoms include stiffness, especially in the morning, clicking or popping when moving the affected finger, a nodule in the palm at the base of the affected finger, and the affected finger being locked in a bent position.
What causes trigger finger?
Inflammatory tenosynovitis leads to the formation of a small nodule on the tendon, which becomes lodged underneath a pulley in the palm, causing the tendon to lock in place.
Who is at risk for trigger finger?
What is the first-line treatment for trigger finger?
What is the surgical procedure for trigger finger if first-line treatment fails?
Basal joint arthritis
Basal joint arthritis, a form of hand osteoarthritis, is a degenerative joint disease. It affects the joint where your thumb meets your wrist. This joint is called the carpometacarpal (CMC) joint. In basal joint arthritis, the cartilage in the CMC joint starts to break down and wear away.
What are the symptoms of basal joint arthritis?
Symptoms include swelling, pain, and loss of function in affected joints, most commonly in the thumb base (CMCJ), as well as the finger joints (PIPJ or DIPJ).
What causes basal joint arthritis?
Over time, cartilage wear leads to structural changes and reduced joint mobility. This cartilage loss accelerates, resulting in osteoarthritis.
Who is at risk for basal joint arthritis?
What is the first-line treatment for basal joint arthritis?
Hand therapy, steroid injections, and splinting are commonly used to manage symptoms.
What is the surgical treatment for basal joint arthritis?
Surgery becomes necessary when pain and deformity significantly affect daily function. This day surgery involves removing the affected joint and may include soft tissue reconstruction (thumb base) or joint replacement surgery (thumb, digits).
Finger dislocations and fractures
Finger dislocations and fractures are common injuries often occurring during work, sports, or accidents at home.
What is the treatment for finger dislocations and fractures?
After assessing the injury with an x-ray, the first steps involve pain relief and stabilising the hand with splints or casts. Treatment options vary depending on how severe and where the fracture is.
Less severe fractures that haven’t shifted much can usually heal on their own with conservative methods. But if the fracture is severe or affects the joint, surgery might be needed. This could involve using pins or plates to hold the bones together. We will discuss the best plan for you during your consultation.
How long does recovery take for fractions and finger dislocations?
Recovery typically requires 6-12 weeks of hand therapy to achieve a successful outcome.
Fingertip injuries and amputations
Fingertip injuries are common injuries caused by crushing, cutting, or blunt trauma to the fingers.
How can early treatment help?
Early surgical intervention can minimise scarring, maintain finger length, and reduce sensitivity associated with fingertip injuries.
What is the treatment for fingertip injuries?
Simple fingertip injuries can usually be fixed with surgery on the same day, done as day surgery. Then, a basic cap splint is worn for three weeks to help recovery. Your hand therapist will then guide you through further steps to support healing and reduce sensitivity.
When is urgent surgery necessary?
In severe fingertip injuries, urgent surgery may be necessary to restore blood flow. This surgery, which can last 2-3 hours, might require hospitalisation for 5-7 days.
Fingertip amputation may be needed if the damage is extensive and cannot be repaired through surgery, or when attempts to restore blood flow are unsuccessful.
Forme Specialist Plastic Surgery, Hand Surgeons Perth
Why Forme Specialist Plastic Surgery in Perth?
From your initial contact with us, through to your consultation, booking your hand surgery, the procedure itself, and all the way through to your aftercare, we’re dedicated to providing exceptional customer service and clinical care.
“We understand that reaching out to a specialist can be daunting. Our compassionate approach and empathy make us stand out.”
Dr Jeremy Rawlins, Hand Surgeon Perth
Considering starting this journey with us? Request an appointment and experience the difference firsthand.



