Chris Little: Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon in Oxford

Specialist

Trained in Bristol, Oxford and Birmingham, Mr Little is a fellowship-trained specialist in hand, wrist and elbow surgery. He has been based at the internationally renowned Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Oxford since 2006, and has a particular expertise in the treatment of hand and wrist injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome and Dupuytren's contracture using the latest arthroscopic (keyhole) and minimally invasive surgical techniques.

Expertise

Scaphoid fractures

The scaphoid is a small bone located at the base of the thumb just above the radius bone of the wrist, in the area where the wrist bends. Injuries to the scaphoid are very common, often occurring when a hand is put out to break a fall. Symptoms that the scaphoid has been damaged include pain and swelling at the base of the thumb, although in some cases the pain is not severe and may be mistaken for a sprain. It should be noted, however, that simple sprains to the wrist are rare and that if the pain does not resolve quickly following an injury, a doctor's opinion should be sought.

Actively involved in clinical research into the management of scaphoid fractures, Mr Little offers expert assessment and treatment for the condition. He is particularly skilled in the treatment of scaphoid non-union, which occurs if the fracture is not treated in time or if the fracture is the middle of the scaphoid bone where there is an inadequate blood supply.

Carpal tunnel release surgery

Characterised by pain, numbness and a tingling sensation in the hands and fingers, carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a relatively common condition caused when the median nerve in the wrist becomes compressed. In many cases the reasons for the nerve compression are not obvious, although the condition is associated with injuries to the wrist, repetitive movements of the wrist, some health conditions, pregnancy and a family history of CTS.

Many cases of CTS spontaneously resolve themselves and a range of non-surgical treatments such as splints and steroid injections can be used to treat mild or moderate symptoms. However, persistent and severe cases of CTS may require surgical treatment.

Mr Little is highly experienced in carpal tunnel release surgery. In a short procedure lasting approximately twenty minutes and performed using local anaesthetic, he makes a small incision in the wrist and cuts the ligament that forms the top of the tunnel that the median nerve runs through (the carpal tunnel), relieving the pressure on the median nerve.

The majority of patients make a good recovery following carpal tunnel release surgery, and Mr Little is happy to discuss patient suitability for the procedure and any possible complications at consultation.

Clinical interests

Conditions and treatments Mr Little treats the full range of hand, wrist, shoulder and elbow problems, including, Arthritis and joint pain, Nerve compression, Rotator cuff problems, Joint contracture, Bone and soft tissue tumours (benign and malignant), Tendon disorders, Hand and wrist injuries (including wrist fracture mal-union correction and scaphoid non-unions) He has expertise in all aspects of non-operative and surgical management of hand, wrist, shoulder and elbow problems including, Arthroscopy of shoulder, elbow and wrist, Arthroscopic (keyhole) rotator cuff decompression and acromio-clavicular joint excision, Rotator cuff repair, Frozen shoulder, Shoulder stabilisation, Shoulder, elbow and finger joint replacements, Tennis and golfer’s elbow treatment, Carpal tunnel (median nerve) and cubital tunnel (ulnar nerve) decompressions, including revision surgery, Dupuytren’s contracture surgery, including minimally invasive treatment under local anaesthetic, Arthritis treatment of all hand and upper limb joints.

Research Interests

Mr Little has published original clinical research in international journals on scaphoid fracture surgery, elbow replacement surgery and outcome assessment after elbow surgery. He is actively involved in research projects on scaphoid surgery and shoulder rotator cuff repair, and in the teaching and training of medical students and orthopaedic trainees in Oxford. He edits the orthopaedic modules of the Royal College of Surgeons of England Surgical Training Programme (newSTEP) and reviews articles for the leading European orthopaedic journal.

Treatments

Initial consultation fee: £250

Follow-up consultation fee: £150

He is fee assured by BUPA, AXA and Aviva.

Mr Little offers expert private treatment for an extensive range hand and wrist problems.

Conditions treated include:

• Acromio-clavicular (A-C) joint strain
• Arthritis
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Dupuytren's contracture
• Fractures
• Osteoarthritis and related disorders
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Shoulder (frozen)
• Shoulder impingement and rotator cuff injuries
• Ulnar nerve neuritis or entrapment
• Wrist fracture
• Hand and wrist surgery
• Shoulder surgery
• Sports injury