Ramsay Health Care UK: Hand and wrist surgery in the UK

Ramsay Health Care UK (formerly Capio) is one of the leading providers of private healthcare in the UK with 22 private hospitals and also 4 treatment centres at which it treats NHS and private patients. Hand and wrist surgery is one of a wide and comprehensive range of procedures undertaken in Ramsay Hospitals.

Recognised by all major medical insurers, Ramsay offers fast, convenient, effective and high quality hand and wrist treatment for all patients in a safe and clean environment, whether medically insured, self-pay, or from the increasing number referred by the NHS.

Why choose Ramsay for hand and wrist surgery?

• Ramsay's orthopaedic consultants are all fully accredited and are listed on the GMC specialist register. Many are members of the British Orthopaedic Association.

• Ramsay's  operating theatres utilise ultra clean-air technology, minimising the risk of hospital infection from bacteria such as MRSA.

• 24 hour clinical support is provided by resident medical officers. These are fully qualified doctors who provide on site support to the consultant orthopaedic surgeon who carries out your hand or wrist surgery.

• All patient bedrooms are en-suite with TV and radio facilities.

• All Ramsay Health Care Hospitals are audited by the Care Quality Commission.

• There is free on site car parking for you and your visitors.

• All hospitals have a well equipped physiotherapy department with wide range of modern physiotherapeutic equipment to enable a rapid recovery from hand or wrist surgery. All staff are experienced Chartered Physiotherapists registered with the Health Professions Council.

• Diagnostic facilities include state of the art imaging departments with MRI and CT scanning facilities

Common hand and wrist conditions treated at Ramsay

There are many conditions that affect the hands. For some, surgery is unnecessary, but for others surgery may help relieve pain and improve the use of the hand. It may also improve the hand’s appearance.

Treatment of Carpal tunnel syndrome

The carpal tunnel lies at the level of the wrist and contains tendons which are involved in the movement of the fingers. It also contains the median nerve which supplies the muscles that move the thumb and gives sensation to your thumb, index and second fingers. In carpal tunnel syndrome, the median nerve becomes squeezed when the contents of the carpal tunnel becomes swollen. This can be caused by an accumulation of fat or fluid in the tunnel.

Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome may include pain which is often worse at night, aching, numbness, tingling or a weakened grip. Usually the thumb, index and middle fingers are affected. It can be present in one or both hands and is more common in woman than men.

Mostly, carpal tunnel syndrome arises for no obvious reason, particularly in middle life. It is also associated with fractures, repetitive strain injuries, arthritis, fluid retention in pregnancy, an under-active thyroid gland or diabetes.

Diuretics and steroid injections may be used to alleviate this condition. Surgery may be needed if you have persistent symptoms. The operation is usually carried out under local anaesthetic and aims to decompress the nerve by relieving the pressure on it.

Treatment of Dupuytren’s disease

Dupuytren’s disease frequently, but not always, causes contractures (Dupuytren’s contracture) which result in the fingers bending into the palm of the hand, often restricting the ability to straighten the fingers normally. It is a common condition, which usually arises in middle age or later. It is more common in men than women and is caused by the development of abnormal fascial tissue in the palm of the hand.

Although it cannot be completely “cured”, surgery and appropriate physiotherapy can control and improve the condition when offered at the right time by your clinician.

Dupuytren’s surgery usually involves removing the cords of diseased tissue and is usually carried out under a general anaesthetic. This procedure is more reliable at alleviating the condition, than simple fasciotomy which means dividing the cord only. The latter procedure can often be done as a day case under local anaesthetic which may be more appropriate for elderly sufferers in particular.

Treatment of Trigger finger

Sometimes swelling around the tendons or pulleys in the finger can cause the finger to click or sometimes the finger to lock in a fixed position. This condition is often alleviated by anti-inflammatory steroid injections. If the condition recurs after steroid injections, it may be worth releasing the tight tendon surgically.

Treatment of Ganglions

Ganglion cysts are swellings which usually arise from the joint or occasionally a tendon. They usually occur on the back of the hands and wrist or on the fingers. They may be unsightly and uncomfortable. Although they may get better on their own treatment may be required. Needle aspiration may help but is associated with a high chance of the ganglion coming back. Surgical removal of the ganglion offers the best chance of permanently removing the ganglion cyst.

Base of thumb arthritis

Symptoms of this include pain and swelling, particularly around the base of the joint near the wrist. Osteoarthritis is the common cause. Depending on the severity of the condition treatment may involve use of anti- inflammatory drugs, splinting or in more severe cases surgery.

Other hand and wrist treatments available

• De Quervains tendonitis

• Tendon transfer

• Arthritis surgery including joint replacement

• Wrist fracture fixation

• Wrist arthroscopy

• Excision of cyst

• Release trigger thumb

• Release deQuervains

Ramsay hospital locations

There are 22 Ramsay Hospitals across the UK, from Cornwall to Yorkshire. To locate your nearest Ramsay hospital, visit the Ramsay web site.

Contact details

Head office

Ramsay Health Care UK Operations Ltd

1 Hassett Street

Bedford

Bedfordshire

MK40 1HA

Tel: 01234 273473

Web: www.ramsayhealth.co.uk/

Ratings and reviews on Ramsay Health Care hospitals

Choosing a doctor, operation, or hospital, is a big decision; the more opinions a patient can gather, the more secure they feel with their ultimate choice.

The Private Healthcare UK “Ratings and Reviews” system allows patients to record their experiences of treatment and to read the opinions and comments of other patients..

• Read reviews about treatment at Ramsay Health Care  hospitals

• Write a review about treatment at Ramsay Health Care hospitals

Disclaimer

Intuition Communication Ltd bears no responsibility for information published on this website, which concerns or relates to advertisers and their products and services. Read Disclaimer in full.