Don’t Let Hand Health Slip Through Your Fingers: Know When to See a Hand Surgeon

Understanding Hand Health

Your hands are complex structures, comprising bones, joints, muscles, and tendons that work together to perform various tasks. Unfortunately, they are also susceptible to injuries and conditions that can impact their function and mobility.

Signs It’s Time to See
a Hand Surgeon

Certain symptoms warrant a visit to a hand surgeon for specialised care:

• Persistent hand pain, swelling, or stiffness
• Difficulty performing everyday tasks due to hand dysfunction
• Traumatic injuries such as fractures, dislocations, or tendon tears

When To Request a Referral to a Hand Surgeon

In addition to recognising the signs that indicate the need to see a hand surgeon, there are specific situations where requesting a referral is necessary:

• Your condition in the fingers, hands, or wrists has not improved with simple measures or initial treatment by your GP.
• A referral has been made to a doctor who does not specialise in hand and wrist problems, but you require specialised care.
• You have an unresolved hand or wrist condition despite treatment and would like to seek treatment from a trained and certified hand surgeon.
• Your current specialist doctor advises surgery for your hand or wrist condition, and you would like to seek a second opinion from a hand surgeon.
• You are unclear about your diagnosis and treatment plan and would like to seek a more detailed assessment from a hand surgeon.