Hand surgery

Our orthopaedic teams treat a wide range of hand, wrist and forearm conditions, including carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, thumb-base arthritis and fractures. Many of these conditions can be managed with a splint, medication, or a targeted injection.

Surgery is considered only when necessary and may involve releasing a trapped nerve or locked tendon, fixing a broken bone, or repairing a damaged tendon or nerve. Your orthopaedic team will talk you through the options and recommend the most appropriate treatment for you.

What is hand surgery?

Hand surgery is a specialised area of orthopaedics that treats injuries and conditions affecting the bones, joints, tendons and nerves that make fine movement possible. Many problems, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, can be managed with a splint or injection, so surgery is not always needed.

Hand surgeons may work with plastic surgeons on complex injuries and with rheumatologists when arthritis is part of a wider condition. Hand therapists also work alongside the surgical team to support rehabilitation and recovery.

When should you see a hand surgeon?

Book an appointment if you notice:

• Numbness or tingling in the fingers, especially at night
• A finger that catches or locks when you bend it
• Pain or weakness at the base of the thumb
• A lump on the back of the wrist or hand
• A hand or finger injury that is not settling
• Stiffness that makes gripping or fine movements hard

A deep cut to the hand with numbness or a finger you cannot move needs emergency care: go straight to your nearest emergency department.

If hand or wrist symptoms are affecting your sleep, your work or everyday tasks like writing and cooking, an assessment will show whether they need treatment and which kind. Some nerve problems are easier to treat early. In the UAE you can often see an orthopaedic or hand specialist directly, though some insurers ask for a referral from a family doctor first.

What to expect

At your first visit, the doctor will ask how and when your symptoms started and how they affect your daily life, then examine your hand for movement, strength, and sensation. Depending on what they find, you may have an X-ray to check the bones and joints. If numbness suggests carpal tunnel syndrome, a nerve conduction study can show how well the nerve is working.

Treatment starts with the simplest option likely to help. For many people, this means a splint, changes to how you use your hand or a steroid injection. If symptoms don't improve, your surgeon will explain the surgical options and what to expect during recovery. They will then recommend the most appropriate next step for you.

Hand surgery at Mediclinic

At Mediclinic, we provide a dedicated upper limb service covering the forearm, wrist and hand. We bring assessment, treatment and recovery together in one service, so you can receive coordinated care throughout.

Our surgeons treat a range of hand and wrist conditions and injuries, including broken bones and torn tendons, and perform procedures such as carpal tunnel surgery and trigger finger release. Where another specialist is better placed to help, we'll guide you to the appropriate care.